VZCZCXRO0072
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHAE #0242 2111122
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301122Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0396
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL
RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ
RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS ASMARA 000242 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL/IRF 
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE RELEASES MUSLIM "RADICALS," ARRRESTS 
INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS 
 
REF: ASMARA 040 
 
¶1. (SBU) On July 21, the Eritrean government (GSE) released 
the remaining Muslims imprisoned since January 2009 (reftel). 
 Simultaneously, the GSE rounded up 30 young, possibly 
influential Muslims from around Asmara.  The GSE reportedly 
entered homes and workplaces to find the targeted victims. 
The 30 consisted primarily of workers in various ministries 
as well as teachers and directors from Muslim schools in 
Asmara, according to a close embassy source.  The new 
prisoners are reportedly being held in Asmara. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Unlike the January round up, in which the 
authorities used the pretense of eliminating radical Islamist 
threats, the July 21 arrests targeted Muslims the GSE feared 
to be gaining in influence.  According to the source, 
however, those arrested may not have been all that 
influential in Muslim circles.  Some were reported to be 
infrequent mosque attendees. 
MCMULLEN