Prominent businessman arrested

Tewelde Tesfamariam, better known as Wedi Bacaro, one of the wealthiest men in Eritrea, was reportedly arrested by the authorities, the opposition web site Awate.com reported on 27 September. Tesfamariam is part-owner of the Asmara Intercontinental Hotel and also owns the Red Sea resort of Gurgusum, among other business interests, said Awate. Eritrean sources told IRIN that they "believe the reports of Tesfamariam's arrest". His arrest follows a spate of arrests of reformers, journalists and students perceived as being opposed to the government. It is unclear whether Tesfamariam's arrest was connected to the previous arrests, the sources said. He had not yet been charged with any crime, said Awate. In another development, the Eritrean government reportedly dismissed Shaykh Al-Amin Uthman al-Amin, the Mufti of Eritrea, Awate reported on 27 September. The Mufti, who is the highest religious authority of Eritrean Muslims, is a government appointee, according to Awate.