Berhane Abrehe

Berhane Abrehe's political journey began during his high school years in Jimma, Ethiopia when he joined the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) in 1963. After completing his education at Haile Selassie University in Addis Ababa, he migrated to the United States. In 1970, he became a founding member of the Eritreans for Liberation in North America (EFLNA). In 1972, he obtained a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois. to 2012. ==Criticism of President Afwerki==

Abrehe's relationship with President Isaias Afwerki deteriorated in 2012 due to the president's interference in the Ministry of Finance. As a result, Berhane Abrehe was removed from his post and was placed on "frozen" status, receiving a government salary but not being permitted to work. In September 2018, Berhane Abrehe published a controversial two-volume book titled "Hagerey Eritrea" (My Country Eritrea). The book was highly critical of the Eritrean government and called on Eritreans to engage in peaceful protests against its policies. In addition, he issued a challenge on YouTube for President Isaias Afwerki to debate him on Eritrea's future. The book's chapters included titles such as "Isaias The Tornado," "The Establishment of Military Rule in Eritrea," "Organized Corruption," "The Endless Treachery of Mr. Isaias," and "Foiling Dictatorship." ==Imprisonment and death==

Berhane Abrehe was arrested on 17 September 2018, just a week after the publication of his book. His wife, Almaz Habtemariam, also an EPLF veteran, had been imprisoned a year earlier for assisting one of their sons in fleeing the country. Neither Berhane nor his wife was formally charged with a crime, and no legal representatives or family members were granted access to them after their detention. ==References==