By FRITZ RADOVANI
Memorie.al / From the year 1949, Mrs. Frida Sadedini continued to be imprisoned…! Interned…! Imprisoned again, tortured and always condemned, yes, but also discriminated against for more than 45 years, because Frida Sadedini continued to be persecuted even after the year 1992. Mart’ha, Frida’s mother, was the granddaughter of Preng Pasha, thus she was connected to the Markagjoni family and the Pervizi tribe. This connection was also a cause for the imprisonment and internment of Frida Sadedini. She was a symbol of indestructible endurance during the interrogations by the Slavo-communists of the terrorist state of Enver Hoxha and Ramiz Alia, and their dictatorship organs. She showed this also in April 1968, when Frida, accompanied by police, was brought to Shkodër, where the trial for the Catholic Clergy of Tirana, staged by the Sigurimi, was taking place in the Church of the Stigmatine Sisters – there, Frida denied all accusations and slanders… In the name of the people…!
It was the first time I got to know an Albanian woman from the heroic mountains of Mirdita! Perhaps even a film about her would today be unbelievable to Albanian Youth! In 1992 I met Mrs. Frida Sadedini in Shkodër, at the House of the Markagjoni family, where in 2004 she closed her eyes together with the endless path of an unparalleled Calvary! Not silence, Albanians! The figures of Albanian mothers and sisters who suffered and were discriminated against like few women and girls in communist countries, in the Albania of Donika Kastrioti…! We must not cover them with the dust of shame…! They were and remain honoured heroines of the Albanian people! The file of each of them is an anti‑communist book in itself!
OFFICIAL INTERROGATION RECORD
Today, May 17, 1949, the defendant Frida Sadedini is interrogated, who declares: My name is Frida Sadedini, daughter of Ahmet (alive – currently in prison) and of Martha Doda (in prison, sentenced to ten years), born in 1914 in Shkodër, residing since 1922 in Tirana, unmarried, no previous convictions, with secondary education (5 years of gymnasium).
Previously I have not been engaged in any work, only in the last two years I have served as a servant to the French consul Giz, and most recently to Domeng. My father practiced the profession of doctor; my mother did not practice any profession, upper class. The first three years of primary school I did at home, where I was taught privately by a German female teacher named Ana, whose surname I do not remember. In 1924, I went to school in Italy (Bari), where I stayed in a college for one year, with a scholarship from my parents.
After one year, i.e., in 1925, I immigrated to Italy with my father and mother because they were “opposition” and was persecuted by Zog, and at that time I left the college and continued my studies abroad, still in Bari at the school Regina Elena. In 1926 I left with my mother from Bari to Rome, where I continued my studies in a college, a convent boarding school of nuns, which was called Dorotea. We left Bari because there was disharmony between my mother and father, so my mother and I left, leaving my father in Bari.
After arriving in Rome, my mother made démarches and there, around the years 1937–1938, she returned to Albania, leaving me in Italy (Rome). Around 1927 or 1928, I returned from Italy for holidays, then went back again to Italy, where I continued my studies at the college until 1929. At that time I came for holidays to Albania, where I fell ill (typhoid) etc., and following the advice of doctors who said that I needed a change of climate (to leave Italy), my mother decided and removed me from Italy in 1929 and sent me to continue my studies in Vienna (Austria).
In Italy I had continued my studies up to the second year of gymnasium. In Vienna I entered a college called Dame – Disian. In this school French was also used, because there were French nuns there, and for me this was a convenience, since I knew French. It seems to me that during the time I was attending school in Vienna, my mother received a scholarship for me. The first year I learned the language. I stayed in Vienna at school until 1934. At that time I returned to Albania for good and did not continue any further schooling. At school I had a desire and studied more literature – languages.
As foreign languages, I speak and write Italian and German well. I also speak well and write (with mistakes) French. I learned French in the family, because my father and mother always spoke French at home, since my father did not know Albanian. From 1934, when I returned from Austria, I have continuously resided in Tirana. Approximately in 1937, I went to Austria for pleasure to visit my school friends, where I stayed nearly a month.
I have been to Italy twice. The first time around 1938, I went to fetch my mother who was ill. The second time, in 1939, because the Italians looked at us with a bad eye, intending for us to leave Albania. We stayed in Rome from March until July 1939 and returned again to Albania. In 1942 we wanted to go to Italy once more, because my mother was ill, but we were prevented by the Italian police.
The above are true and I sign.
Defendant: Frida Sadedini / Interrogator: Lieutenant Esat Mani
May 18, 1949; Interrogations continue… until July 1950… 15 months Interrogator
Frida SADEDINI declares:
During the war I was not part of any political party or organisation. Here in Tirana, my social circle and the people I associate with or have friendships with are: The family of Fuat Toptani, Tirana, with his daughter Dylfiqare, also Sanije…! With the daughters of Pjeter Bumçi: Çila, Albina and Elda…! With Bibika Vile in Rome…! With the family of Gjon Bonatti, his daughter Xita, his sons Nikollë and Alfred…! With Agostin Bonatti and his wife Gjyljana…!
With Ganimet Toptani (arrested)… Semiha and Hyqmete Toptani. Zef Guraziu…! With Luçije and Angela who did the ondulation hair…! I don’t know their surname…! Lucia is in prison. Llesh Ndoji from Mirdita with his son Geg…! Skender Shkupi used to come to our place…! In Shkodër I know Sander, Patrik and Tonin Saraçi…! Ida Melgushi…! Aurel and Alfred Ashiku…! I have known these since childhood…!
Luçije and Ana Kola who came from Shkodra. I have relatives in prison: Dod Bardhoku and Luigji…! I have known some of the members of the English mission in Tirana… Jacobs, the head of the American mission…! The major of the French mission, Visdorf…! After the mission left, the French Legation came…! Pico and Henri Giz. I have known these since Shkodër in 1921…! There I also knew the typist Shufie, Chartie, who came now in 1949… when I was a servant at the Embassy.
From Giz I learned about the arrest of Riza Dani and Dan Hasan in Shkodër…! I have also known Padre Gjadri, Padre Mëshkalla and Guljelm Luka…! A postcard has arrived from Preng Previzi, from which it is understood that he is in Greece. I have also known Rrok Oboti…! But with these people I have had no connection…!
***
Ministry of Internal Affairs
State Security Directorate
7th Department
Tirana, June 17, 1949
Following a letter from Captain Skënder Vinçani… drafted:
ACT – ACCUSATION
On January 3, 1950, the Interrogation Records kept by the State Security against: Agostin Bonatti… Frida Sadedini… etc., have been brought to this Court… Tirana, January 6, 1950…
The trial was composed of: Captain 1st Class Mustafa Iljazi, Chairman; Captain 1st Class Shaban Hoxha, Member; Aspirant Hilmi Haxhija, Member; Assistant Military Prosecutor Captain 2nd Class Hilmi Telegrafi; Secretary Marshal Et-hem Guda…
The trial was scheduled for January 7, 1950. After the prisoners were brought from prison, the defence lawyers were assigned: Captains Gaqo Stefa and Vangjel Gjomeka…
- Sadedini was interrogated:
I don’t know anything about power, I lived well before and I live well now…! I made a tea for the consul and for others…! I do not remember having talked anything about Preng Pervizi, the letters came to the consul, not to me. The French never talked to me about Albanians…!
She does not accept any political accusation, nor was that she in the service of French espionage…!
DECISION:
“IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE”
The Military Court of Tirana composed of:
Captain 1st Class – Mustafa Iljazi, Chairman; Captain 1st Class – Shaban Rexha, Member; N/ Lieutenant Veli Lilaj, Member. Acting Prosecutor of the People’s Army Captain 1st Class – Hilmi Telegrafi and Secretary Reshter Nestan Ceka, today on July 6, 1950, rendered this
Decision: In the criminal indictment registered no. 117 of the Basic Registry of the year 1950…:
Agostin Bonati, 2. Skender Konica, 3. Skender Shkupi, 4. Frida Sadedini, 5. Adem Pilku, 6. Guljelm Rasku, 7. Simon Rasku, 8. Gjon Çefa, 9. Padre Paskal Gjadri, 10. Luçia Kola, 11. Gjysh Shkreli, 12. Elena Beçi, 13. Isuf Vrioni, 14. Kosta Meksi, 15. Rakip Strazimiri, 16. Lush Pogu, 17. Agop Kahanexhian, arrested in the year 1949…!
At the conclusion of the trial behind closed doors, assisted by Captain 1st Class Vangjel Gjomeka and Captain 2nd Class Gaqo Stefo (Lawyers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs)… The Prosecutor Captain 2nd Class Hilmi Telegrafi requests:
…For the defendant Frida Sadedini: 20 years of deprivation of liberty and forced labour. Loss of civil rights for 5 years. The defendant Frida has filed no appeal whatsoever and has presented no request. In her final statement, the defendant Frida Sadedini said: I have not been an agent at the French Legation. I ask for mercy.
Tirana, June 23, 1950
Pursuant to Article 3 and No. 10 of Law 372 of 12/12/1946, all defendants are declared guilty of the crime of espionage. Through these agents, foreign missions were able to learn all the secrets of the Albanian state…!
***
People’s Republic of Albania
Supreme Military Court
No. 233 Basic Registry
No. 161 of the Decision. Date July 29, 1950.
The Supreme Military Court formed in Council of:
Captain 1st Class – Vangjel Kocani, Chairman;
Captain 1st Class – Nonda Papuli, Member; Captain 2nd Class – Hidaji Lagji, Member;
Assisted by Secretary Reshter Kasem Murataj, and Acting Prosecutor Captain 1st Class – Hilmi Telegrafi, on July 29, 1950, declares this Decision:
Frida SADEDINI is sentenced to 15 years of deprivation of liberty and forced labour. For 5 years loss of electoral civil rights. Confiscation of movable and immovable property for all the convicted.
Declared on July 8, 1950.
(Only signatures)
The Court notes: Together with the above convicted, also the convicted Frida Sadedini, daughter of Ahmet and Martha Doda, … Arrested on May 17, 1949, but she has filed no appeal. The decision of the Court of fact does not present any legal defect, therefore
Decided:
This decision is final.
Tirana, July 29, 1950
(Only signatures)
The Council of the Supreme Military Court: After hearing the report of Captain 1st Class Vangjel Kocani, and after extensively discussing the case, pronounced the decision of the Military Court of Tirana. / Memorie.al
