Dawit Isaak

Dawit Isaak is a multiple award-winning Swedish-Eritrean journalist and co-owner of Eritrea’s first independent newspaper, Setit.

He was arbitrarily arrested at his home in Asmara on 23 September 2001 and has remained in prison ever since. He was reportedly released briefly on 19 November 2005 for medical reasons but rearrested two days later.

In a 28 March 2023 opinion, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded Isaak was held without legal basis, in retaliation for peacefully exercising freedom of expression, without a fair trial, and on discriminatory grounds. He is believed to be among the few surviving prisoners.