Mr. Mohammed Saleh Mohammed Hagos, an Eritrean businessman, died under mysterious circumstances on the Asmara-Massawa road. 

His family suspects that rogue elements within the government--most likely corrupt colonels and generals--had a hand in the death.

Mohammed Saleh's family owned the Asmara Soap Factory ("enda Omo") in Sembel, Asmara.  The factory, as we reported in March 2007, was closed due to import restrictions.

Mohammed Saleh's wife and children live in the United Kingdom.

The government media does not report any news that reflects badly on its officials, unless they are first reported by independent news outlets like awate.com.  When it does report bad news, it makes a cursory mention and then promises detailed reports following an investigation--which never materialize.

Recent "investigations" promised that were never delivered include the sinking of an Eritrean ship, Denden, and the death of Eritreans; the death of businessman Fikre (shot by corrupt military officers) and  the assassination attempt on Colonel Simon (shot by corrupt military officers.)

Gedab News will keep its readers updated as it receives additional information on the death of Mohammed Saleh Mohammed Hagos.

Update 1: Almost 5,000 Eritreans attended the burial of Mohammed Saleh Mohammed Hagos.

Update 2:  Whenever the word "family" was used in the report--such as "His family suspect that rogue elements within the government...", the word "family" should be understood in its broadest sense (as it is understood in Eritrea.) By family, we do not mean "immediate family," and no inferences should be drawn that the source for the report were the immediate family of the deceased, who were not contacted or interviewed by our reporter.

Update 3:  The last known activity of Mohammed Hagos was to receive a call on his mobile phone and to agree to meet the caller, a “friend,” at midnight, at an unspecified place. His body was found around the Dirfo Arberebu'e hillside wrapped in a sack. Some people say his car was also pushed down the hill. It is not clear how many days he had been dead before the discovery. 

Update 4:  Refer to article authored by the deceased's sister, Seidi M. Hagos, and published by awate on July 25, 2008.