The media watchdog released a report on the career of Naizghi Kiflu, special adviser to Eritrean President Issaias Afeworki, former information minister and currently in charge of local government.

"He lives in London, has a permit to reside indefinitely in Britain, and receives treatment for a chronic condition free of charge at a public hospital," RSF alleged.

"The British authorities should ask themselves what this baron of one of the world's most brutal dictatorships is doing leading a comfortable life in London," the report said.

The man described by anonymous Eritrean officials as having been in charge of the regime's "dirty work" for 30 years, was investigated by British police in 2005 following a complaint over torture accusations by a rights activist.

"Although very detailed, the statements of the three main witnesses were apparently not enough to take the president's special adviser to court," RSF said.

The Paris-based press freedom group said Naizghi masterminded a massive crackdown on the independent media in 2001. Since that date, all private press in Eritrea has been closed down.

In October 2007, the Horn of Africa country took over from North Korea as the country in the world where press rights are least respected, according to RSF's rankings.

© 2008 Agence France-Presse