A rare document from 1968 sheds light on the extent of the class struggle in communist Albania. Petrit Spahiu, the son of Bedri Spahiu – a well-known figure convicted for political reasons – addresses a letter of supplication to Mehmet Shehu, after he is denied the right to study at university.
At the same time, a handwritten note signed by Mehmet Shehu clearly shows the official state line: “The doors of universities must be kept closed to the children of sworn enemies of the dictatorship.”
The case of Petrit Spahiu is just one example of the injustices that were committed in the name of “protecting the dictatorship of the proletariat,” where children paid the price for their parents’ political sins.
Handwritten note by Mehmet Shehu:
The class struggle continues. We should not prepare cadres from the children of sworn enemies of the dictatorship. Not only should it not be answered, but we should be interested in keeping the doors of the university closed to this category of people. Even the doors of other higher inst.
Firm: MShehu
Elbasan on 14-VII-68
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the RSRSh.
Tirana
I, Petrit Spahiu, son of Bedri Spahiu, graduated from the "Dhaskal Todhri" high school in Elbasan with good grades in the 1966-67 school year. Like my fellow graduates, I also completed all the necessary documents to pursue my studies at the State University of Tirana, although my family's economic situation is very difficult.
Given the fact that my father is imprisoned for political reasons, I have little hope that the competent authorities in the Elbasan district and in the center will consider my request.
For this reason, I take the liberty of addressing you personally with a desperate plea that the right to higher education not be denied to a diligent young man, who has regularly and consistently completed all his duties as a student and as a young man, a young man who cannot be held responsible for his father's sins.
Hoping that my request will be considered, I pledge to you that I will put all my efforts into becoming a capable and honest cadre in the service of the Party and the people.
With deep respect
Petrit Spahiu
