In the “forgotten stories” section, VNA publishes two letters from the political prisoner Eqerem Veshi, sent in 1970 by Spaç to the highest structures of the communist regime. The documents are direct evidence of the repressive mechanism of the time and the way in which political guilt was constructed under the name of the “Party line”.
In his letters to Enver Hoxha and the Politburo, Veshi claims that he was arrested and convicted unjustly, without evidence and under duress. He insists that he has not committed any hostile act against the state or the Party and that his loyalty to the homeland has never changed.
According to his account, Veshi was arrested in 1968 and convicted in 1969, without making clear the specific reasons for the charges. He says he resisted as much as he could during the investigation, but was forced to sign the minutes after physical torture and psychological pressure were exerted on him.
He directly accuses investigators and prosecutors of the Saranda Internal Affairs Branch of manipulating the process, writing whatever they wanted and forcing him to admit guilt he did not commit. He also mentions threats with weapons against him and pressure on his family.
A key element of the letters is Veshi's insistence that he was convicted as a "class" and not for specific facts. He strongly emphasizes that he is Albanian and not Greek, calling this labeling fabricated and politically motivated.
At the end of both letters, Veshi demands a review of his case, verification of the allegations of torture, and a fair trial. He even goes so far as to say that if proven guilty, he is ready to accept the most extreme punishment.
⸻
Letter to Enver Hoxha — Spaç, 30.9.1970
(text linguistically cleaned, without changing the essence)
I was arrested in 1968 and sentenced in 1969. I don't know why I was arrested and sentenced, because I don't know if I have committed any enmity against the government and the authorities. No one can take away my determination for my homeland. I survived the brutal non-resistance and the tortures that were inflicted on me.
If the personnel of the Saranda DPB think they gain sympathy by arresting innocent people, I ask that this be verified once again. I have been convicted as a "class", but I am Albanian and not Greek. Albanians do not become Greek.
The Saranda DPB, headed by investigator Halit Kordhasi and prosecutor Thanas Vaso, wrote as they wanted. They forced me to sign the minutes by force. The Deputy Head of the Branch put a pistol to my chest and insulted my family.
If I have worked with Greek intelligence against the Party and the government, I demand the removal of my life with insistence. Please look at my case again.
Respectfully,
the convict — Eqerem Veshi
Spaç, 30.9.1970
⸻
Letter to the Politburo — Spaç, 13.X.1970
I was arrested in 1968 and convicted in 1969. I don't know why I was arrested and convicted, because I don't know if I committed any enmity against the government and the authorities.
I was sentenced as a "class", but I am Albanian and not Greek. The Saranda DPB forced me to sign the minutes by force. The Deputy Head of the Branch put a pistol to my chest and insulted my family.
If I have worked with Greek intelligence against the Party, I demand the removal of my life with all my might. Please look into my case as soon as possible.
Respectfully,
the convict — Eqerem Veshi
Spaç, 13.X.1970
