Dashnor Kaloçi
Second part
Memorie.al publishes the unknown story of Aleksandër Kondos, the Albanian weightlifting legend who lost his life at the age of 27 in tragic and still completely unexplained circumstances, during a car accident in Quens New York, USA, where he was placed as a political immigrant after fleeing Albania in May 1985, staying in Yugoslavia at the time, after the national team returned from the European Weightlifting Championships held in Poland in those days. The complete voluminous file of the former State Security in charge of Aleksandër Kondos, declassified by the Authority for Information of the files of the former State Security, where there are hundreds of pages belonging to the period from 1981 when the operational prosecution and surveillance of regularly against him by the secret services of the communist regime, until 1987, when that file was finally archived, after his tragic death.
In Tirana in the early ’80s, not only for many sports fans but also for the young people of the Albanian capital, a young man at the age of 20 stood out and stood out, both for his portrait and physique. as well as for his appearance, with fashionable clothes and a sports bag around his neck, and on the other shoulder a large radio-tape recorder, which he brought from abroad, when he went out with the national weightlifting team in international activity. . He was Aleksandër Kondo, a member of the “Dinamo” weightlifting team of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (where at that time he served as a senior soldier in the Republic Guard, also his father), and also of the national team, which at that time , thanks to the differentiated assessment and treatment of the communist regime in power in some serious sports, had achieved high results in the international arena.
The name of Aleksandër Kondo as a sportsman began to become more and more famous, especially after his high results achieved in 1984, at the Sports Palace “Partizani” in the capital, when he fixed the figures of 200 kg. (in the style of pushing) electrifying thousands of sports fans, (that day more spectators were outside the sports palace than inside it), who under numerous applause, did not leave the square in front of the palace, without seeing that guy up close, who had amazed them with his results and performance. Since then, Sander Kondo, almost became a myth in Tirana and Albania of that time, as his results came to rise, not only in national championships, but also in the international arena where he consistently had high results. .
But much more than this period of time when Sander Kondo, was at the peak of his career, his name became even more famous and began to be discussed throughout the country, at the end of May 1985, when during an international event in the framework of the European Weightlifting Championship that took place in Warsaw, Poland, (where he lifted 210 kg.), Kondo did not return to Albania, but together with his teammate, Xhelal Sukniqi from Shkodra, from Montenegro went to Belgrade, waiting to gain political asylum in the US.
The event of the escape of two Albanian athletes caused a great commotion not only because of the great name and fame that Aleksandër Kondo had at that time, but also because that event became the object of “quarrel” between Albania and Yugoslavia, as official Tirana at that time publicly accused (in the newspaper “Zeri i Popullit”), the Yugoslav authorities, saying that the two Albanian athletes had been abducted by the Yugoslav secret services (UDB) and demanded their return home.
But that claim of official Tirana had nothing real, as Kondo and Sukniqi denied it in the meeting that took place in Belgrade, between the representatives of the Albanian embassy and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of the Yugoslav side, where Sander Kondo, after cursing the communist regime of Enver Hoxha again and again, tried to hit the Albanian diplomat with an ashtray, insisting that he should return to Albania, where his family and the whole society were waiting for him.
After that, Sander Kondo and Xhelal Sukniqi gained political asylum in the USA, where Sukniqi is still, while Kondo, lost his life in a car accident, on May 1, 1987, (always according to the official version of the communist regime of that time ), and his remains were returned to Albania in 2003.
All these have already been known for years, as much has been written about Aleksandër Kondo as the legend of Albanian weightlifting and his father, Vangjel Kondo, has given several interviews in both print and visual media, and even made some television documentaries, for all his life and history, until the day he parted from this life. But again, the “Alexander Kondo case” has not yet been fully clarified, especially the part related to his tragic death which continues to remain shrouded in mystery, as well as the surveillance of him by the Security of The Albanian State and its segments since 1981, which was made public for the first time by the Authority for Information of the Former State Security Files, headed by Mrs. Gentjana Mara Sula, who in 2018, handed over the file to the Kondo family, or more precisely to his father, Vangjel Kondo.
In that file that Mr. Vangjel Kondo has trusted him exclusively for the publication of Memorie.al, the light is shed and it is known, the evaluation, treatment and all the surveillance and persecution, which was done at that time by the communist regime of Enver Hoxha, one of the most voice of Albania, such as Aleksandër Kondo, who was well known in the international arena. Based on this fact, Memorie.al will publish the complete file in question (with the relevant facsimiles), in several numbers.
Continued from the previous issue
Biographical data of Aleksandër Kondo in the State Security file in 1982
SECRET
Single copy
Tirana on 12.1.1982
COMPLICATED BIOGRAPHICAL CERTIFICATION
Made for Branch VIII of M.P. Interior, required by p.op. P.P. (for the sports club “Dinamo”)
REQUESTED TO CERTIFY: Aleksandër Kondo, his biography.
CERTIFIED: Aleksandër Kondo, son of Vangjeli and Antigoni, born in Fier in 1960, originally a civil servant, of Albanian nationality and citizenship, disorganized in the Party, unconvicted, unmarried, with 8 years of education, is soldier in the sports club “Dinamo”, lives in Neighborhood 8, street “V. Pasho”, p 27. shk 2. ap 25.
The aforementioned, after finishing 8 years of school, gets a job, a student in economics and is currently a soldier, in the Sports Club “Dinamo”. Characterized as a wise boy, polite both at work and abroad, maintains good moral conduct.
His father, Vangjel Nisi Kondo, was born in the village of Pish Poro in Fier in 1932. During Zog’s regime and occupation, there was no activity. After liberation, he finished school, became an officer and worked in various wards. He is currently the Chief of Staff of the RPSSH Guard, he is A.P.
His mother Antigoni Gjergj Kondo, was born in Berat, in the neighborhood “Kushtrimi” in 1937, in a family with a good political attitude, and in employment, is known for good moral and social behavior. His brothers, Dhimitraqi and Rolandi, the first is a soldier, the second in employment, and have good moral and social behavior.
His sisters Valentina, Florika, and Lindita, first married an officer from Fier, who is an escort in the II Directorate of M.P. Interior, the other two are in school. There is an uncle, Chief of Police in the Gjirokastra GDP, is A.P.
It is characterized that: During the Zog regime, they did not deal with politics, during the occupation they sympathized with the National Liberation War. After the liberation and currently, they maintain a good moral-political and social attitude. Prisoners, convicts, and fugitives abroad, it turns out there is no one.
Data for the compilation of this biography were obtained from M.P. and V.P. who they know on the block, I know myself.
OPERATIONAL WORKSHOP CHIEF OF SECTION
B.K. R.B.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
S.B.
Dactyl
N.K.
Report of the Directorate of Internal Affairs of Tirana, on the conversation that the State Security collaborator had, with the nickname “The Repentant”, with Aleksandër Kondo, on June 2, 1983
Took p. op. V.K.
Gave b.p. “The penitent”
Tirana on 2.6.1983
EXCERPT
On the data of b.p. “The penitent”
B.p. informs that from the middle of March, he met with Aleksandër Kondon at the hotel “Peza”. During the conversation with him, Alexander took out some gold coins and dollars which he had in a wallet. He proposed B.p. to find some more as he needed, that he would go abroad with the Dinamo’s weightlifting team.
Alexander also told him that when he got out at the airport a family member would come to me, as if he would bring me something to eat on the way and inside, he would have put in dollars and gold. After returning from abroad, Alexander told B.p. that I took those things as I told you and I got a lot of clothes, so you can find me some more, that soon we will go abroad again.
“The penitent”
Task: Meet Alexander and find out where he found the dollars and gold. How did he justify them overseas with his friends?
Rating: The data has operational value, as it refers to the issuance of foreign currency abroad.
Operational measure: The data should be printed in a copy and passed to him
p. op. H.C.
OPERATIONAL WORKSHOP
V.K.
Testimony of Alexander Kondos before the Operational Worker, about the pornographic magazines he received in Spain, the dollars and the anabolic substances used by the weightlifters
When I was at the European Championships in Spain, I bought some pornographic magazines in stores and made the biggest mistake of getting these. I bought these pornographic magazines just to see them out of curiosity, and then I decided to buy them, an unforgivable mistake. I do not know that these magazines have been seen by others, but from the pieces of magazines that have been removed, my roommate must have taken them. I made a big mistake and a stupidity.
I did not intend to exhibit these magazines, but simply took them out of an instant passion. I have nothing more to say about these. As for anabolics, I do not know what to say, but I have learned that they have bought in our pharmacies, only those anabolics that are prescribed. As for the others, as well as me, we have been checked by our doctors here in competitions, but also abroad.
As for the dollars, I have never received them, so even at customs I did not have more than 20 thousand ALL goods. I have never been confused about these things and I have been correct about everything overseas. Every time I went out with the coaches and team leaders overseas, they behaved very well and kept me close, and I stayed in the group with friends. What I said is all true.
Alexander Kondo
New “Dinamo”
Taken p. op. H. C.
R A P O R T
Dt 31.8.1983
B.p. reports that in a conversation he had with ……………..the latter told him: I was at A.H. in Kombinat and when I came out he was escorted by his brother who has a doctor and told me that when he had met Aleksandër Kondon, he had told them that we should be free, man should go where he wants, where he should have fun. The doctor had replied that Alexander did not do well to speak like that, especially you.
In another conversation he had with ………………….he had told him about sports nutrition treatment, he had continued to say that in our country there are poor people who do not eat well. ………………… ..He replied that: in our country there are no poor, and that everyone works and lives.
After that Alexander had not answered. B.p. in the conversations he had with ………………….he told him that I ……………… jam do not agree if they ask me that Alexander should go abroad because he shames you, hates you, escapes . It is a shame for our country and for the “Dinamo” Sports Club.
“Dynamo”
Clarification: Aleksandër Kondo, there are other materials that talk about various actions, drug use, theft, quarrel, etc., ………………………… is ………………………… ….his.
Assessment: The data is valuable because it talks about the nuances of the agitation and hostile propaganda of Aleksandër Kondo against whom, there are other data.
Assignment: With Alexander Condon b.p. he is not able to talk, but in his connections he can ask for details about the time he has been out, his social circle, etc.
Operational measures: The data should be printed in a copy and analyzed by making information to the Ministry to prevent it from going abroad, based on the material data it has. Consider calling and questioning A.H.’s brother. And if the problem persists, be advised considering other materials available to it.
Operational Workshop
H.C.
SECRET
Specimens No. 1
Tirana on March 30, 1984
FULL BIOGRAPHICAL CERTIFICATE
Made for the Organization Completion Branch of the MIA, requested by p. op. B.D.
REQUESTED TO CERTIFY: Aleksandër Kondo, his biography.
CERTIFIED: Aleksandër Kondo, son of Vangjeli and Antigoni, born in Fier in 1960, of civil servant origin, of Albanian nationality and citizenship, disorganized in the Party, unconvicted, unmarried, with 8 years of education, with Working profession in the factory of agricultural tools, lives in Neighborhood 1, street “H. Sufa”, building 2, level 4, apartment 70.
Mentioned with difficulty, he has completed 8 years of education, has been out of work for some time and has started as a mechanical student at the Agricultural Tools Factory. At the same time he is involved in the sport of weightlifting. He completed his military service at the “Dinamo” Sports Club, where he also took up sports. After the army, he started working again at the Agricultural Tools Factory, where there is a problem for indiscipline. He deals with weightlifting and is the champion of his country.
Alexander is characterized, as a scandalous man, and problem of the club “Dinamo” from which he has been expelled several times. Beats people, and keeps order, likes himself, follows foreign fashion, records and listens by opening the tape recorder out loud to listen to foreign music (jazz). He fights with his parents.
In his person, there is nothing good but flaws and danger he presents. For other people, it is a residential block problem. His father, Vangjel Kondo, is the acting Chief of Staff of the Reserve Brigade of the RPSSH Guard. But he did not know how to work in the family, either with his wife, with whom he has a dispute, or with and with the children who are the problem of the bloc, for foreign performances and acts of hooliganism.
Mother Antigoni from Berat, a well-to-do family, supply worker in NT Industrial. The Rolandi brothers, who work at the Traktori and Dhimitraqi plants, are able and do not work. He manifests acts of
prostitution, etc. Sister Valentina is unemployed, Florika, continues her secondary education, while Lindita, her primary education.
It is characterized that his family, in general politically, has nothing negative, but in social terms, leaves much to be desired.
They are a problem for the leadership of the Front and for K.S. “Dynamo”. The data were taken from …………………….who know him in the palace, given p. op. H.C. and B.V. who know Alexander and his activity. I do not agree that Alexander should be taken as a police officer.
OPERATIONAL WORKSHOP DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
P.S. D.B.
28.5.1984
Report of the Deputy Director of Internal Affairs of Tirana, with the proposal that Aleksandër Kondo be removed from the Sports Club “Dinamo”
The message has been given to stumble. I advised him that he had brought out magazines with pornographic content. To be proposed to be removed from the “Dinamo” Sports Club.
D.B.
29.5.1984
Okay
Make the report and biography
In May 1984, by order of the leadership of the Ministry, Aleksandër Kondo was called by me and Shkëlzen Bajraktari. He was held accountable for the pornographic material he had brought abroad. Alexander made self-criticism about this and his bad behavior. He promised that in the future he will become good in every direction. He was worked with for 3-4 hours and he was instructed to keep his figure in the future, then he was released. /Memorie.al
D.B.
Continues in the next issue
