Dashnor Kaloçi
Part nine
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 Queens 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 pursuit 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 beyond the young people of the Albanian capital, a young man stood out and stood out, then at the age of 20, as for his portrait and physique , as well as for the appearance, with the clothes of foreign fashion, who in his arms carried the sports bag that he never took off from his shoulder and on the other side, a big radio-tape recorder, which he brought from abroad when going 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 an athlete began to become more and more famous, especially after his high results achieved in 1984, in the Sports Palace “Partizani” of the capital, when he fixed the figures 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 that day, Sander Kondo almost became a myth in Tirana and Albania of that time, as his results came ever higher, 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 “Zëri 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, 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 uncovered, 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 some issues of the dossier section.
Continued from the previous issue
Information report of the Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on the behavior and stay of Aleksandar Kondo and Xhelal Sukniqi in Yugoslavia
SECRET
Single copy
Tirana on 7.8.1985
Information
The fugitive ……………………… went to our embassy in Belgrade on 31.7.1985 and said, among other things: “In the hotel ‘Trimi’ in Belgrade, there are the fugitives Aleksandër Kondo and …………… A. Alexander and ……………………… Stay with ……………………… he regrets killing himself, but he is in trouble and has nothing to do.
He is dissatisfied with Aleksandar and insults his attitude towards the Albanian ambassador, when the latter met him and he told him to “put it back on his head”. Aleksandri, asked the fugitive Tirana from Tirana, who escaped recently, what they said from Tirana about his escape, what they did to his family, etc.
Alexander, in a conversation he had with me, told me the reason for the escape “I – he explained – when I came back from abroad, my friends asked me what I had seen and what life was like there. I told them about life here, or from what I had really seen, what I was fabricating. These conversations, had been heard by those of the Security, because before I left last time, my father advised me not to talk up and down from the impressions of “I had to be careful and cautious. I fled for fear that one day I would be arrested.”
Some of his friends in Tirana also knew about Alexander’s escape. He escaped for “Rrok” music because he had all the others in Albania. Very good economic conditions, father with position, etc. A few days ago, Aleksandri and …………………………… asked to go to our shooting team that participated in the Balkan Championship that took place here in Yugoslavia, but they did not let them.
“We wanted to go there – said Alexander – to kidnap someone”!. Is very sorry for the mistake he made. He is a smart boy, while Alexander, looks like a fool. During dinners in Kostunjak, when there is music dancing in the bar, he stands up and shouts like crazy, addressing the refugees from our country: “Get up, degenerate boys”.
The information was extracted from Information No. 220 dated 1.8.1985. It was issued in two copies, one for the file of Aleksandër Kondos and the other, for the file of ………………………………!
DIRECTOR OFFICER
F. H.
Report of the Management Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with the information of the resident of the State Security in Belgrade, about the provocations of Aleksandër Kondo against the staff of the Albanian embassy there
Secret
Single copy
Tirana, on 14.08.1985
Rez. Belgrade by tel. NR.186 dt. 07.08.1985 announces:
Yesterday afternoon, the fugitive Aleksandër Kondo, went near one of our cars, to the diplomats’ apartments, tightened the door handle, shouted “get out, Albanians” and left.
For knowledge.
The wire is seen from sh. Minister ………………………………… there is no special note.
A copy of A. Kondos’s file was obtained.
DIRECTOR OFFICER
F. H.
Report of the Management Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on the circumstances of the escape of two Albanian athletes in Yugoslavia
SECRET
Examples Nr. 1
Tirana, September 30, 1985
I N F O R M A T I O N
Aleksandër Kondo and Xhelal Sukniqi, on the day of the escape went by a taxi of Titograd to Berane of Ivangrad, where one of them has his people. Since they had no money to pay, the taxi driver handed them over to Ivangrad UDB.
Now the two athletes are in Belgrade at the hotel “1000 Rusha” and expect to go somewhere in the West.
Note: This information is taken from Information no. 197 dated 7.08.1985, in two copies, to be placed in the files of Aleksandër Kondo and Xhelal Sukniqi.
The information is located in the file of the object of subversive activity.
DIRECTOR OFFICER
F. H.
Report of the Management Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on the stay of Aleksandër Kondo with the Albanian fugitives in Kostunjak, Yugoslavia
Secret
Single specimens
Tirana, on 27.09.1985
Belgrade by phone 246 dated 24.9.1985 announces sh. Travel:
“1740” info:
Alexander Kondo has not fled to America yet, there is something in medical tests. Ever since he was released from prison, he has been in the “Astorja” hotel. There does not like the environment. He stays all day with other fugitives in Koshutnjak who keep him to eat with their food.
Comrade Sefer notes: I Directorate
The second part was released in two copies
– object file
– For Alexander Condon
Leading Officer
B. M
Report of the Management Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the plan of measures that would be implemented for the follow-up and surveillance of two Albanian athletes in Yugoslavia
Ar.238 / 1 “A.Res.Personal”
Examples Nr.
Belgrade, 30.8.1985
Nr. 284 dated 6.9.1985
MASH PLAN
ON THE PROCESSING OF ALEXANDER KONDOS AND XHELAL SUKNIQ IN 2 / A
- Source “1740” will clarify their location, as well as the movements they can make within Yugoslavia from one place to another. – Perform P.Op. G.M. of L.A., until 15.8.1985 onwards. Controls resident V.P.
- With various legal and illegal sources to clarify and deepen the circumstances of their disappearance in Titograd and the further actions of the Yugoslav authorities with them. – Performed by P.Op., G.M and L.A., until 30.9.1985. Controls resident V.P.
- During the stay of both facilities in Yugoslavia, their hostile activity against our country will be pursued. It will be used for this purpose “1740” of any fugitive who may come to the headquarters, or who may meet outside it. –Kryen P.Op., G.M and L.A. Controls resident V.P.
- Follow their processing with the processing of the fugitive ………………………, who as a UDB agent who should be, processes all the fugitives who go to the Koshutnjak camp. Keeping …………………… in the camp proves this. – Performs P.Op., L. A. and G.M., while the facilities will be in Yugoslavia.
- Circumstances of the escape of A. Kondos and Xh. Sukniqi, may have created some suspicion in the Yugoslav authorities. To put them to the test, they can push them to take any concrete action against our friends, their families or any of our citizens who come on duty or are in transit. For the above will be given the necessary messages to all friends to increase vigilance anywhere and anytime. –Kryen P.Op., L.A. of G.M., continuously.
- Pursue the interest that foreign intelligence may have in them, the meetings they may have during their stay in Yugoslavia. – Performed by P.Op., G.M. of L.A., continuously. Controls resident V.P.
- To use in the direction of the objects the fugitive ……………… who has once come to the headquarters and is thought to come again. – Performed by P.Op., L.A. of G.M., in continuation.
- The center will be notified immediately about the data that will be uploaded to them and their departure from Yugoslavia. – Performed by P.Op., L.A.
The plan will be analyzed from time to time and if necessary, other measures will be taken.
RESIDENT OPERATIVE WORKSHOP
L.A d.v V.P. d.v
Note: The plan of measures is printed in two copies, one in the processing file of A. Kondos and the other in the file of Xh. Sukniqit. It is extracted from the photographed material, which is destroyed. The destruction of the photographed material is confirmed.
Operational Workers
B.M. and S.M.
DIRECTOR OFFICER
F. H.
Report of the Director of the Albanian Intelligence Directorate abroad, on the conversation between Aleksandër Kondo and Xhelal Sukniqi, with a woman in Montenegro
SOCIALIST PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS Copy no. 1
THIRD DIRECTORY
No. ______ Tirana, on _____ 1986
I N F O R M A C I O N
An Albanian woman in Montenegro said that: from one of her cousins a taxi driver in Titograd, she learned that she had been stopped on the street by the fugitives Aleksandër Kondo and Xhelal Sukniqi, who after telling her that they were from Albania. Seek political asylum in Yugoslavia; have been asked to take them to the internal affairs bodies. Along the way, they spoke in black about the political and economic situation in the R.P.S.SH., cursing the leadership of the Party and the Albanian state.
DIRECTOR OF THE DIRECTORATE III
S. R.
Consp. S. I.
Dakti. N. A.
Copy a
Report of the Management Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on the digital telegram of the resident of the State Security in Belgrade, for the arrest of two Albanian athletes by the Yugoslav authorities
Belgrade by phone 323 dated 23.11.85 announces sh. Travel:
According to “1740”, the fugitive A. Kondo, Xh. Sukniqi and another were arrested for beating a Serb. This is true, but it could be some combination to justify leaving them for a few days, so be careful. The source has no verification option. Meanwhile, there were beatings among the fugitives in “Trim” of Koshutnjak.
Three copies of the fugitives’ file were issued, and two persons.
Leading Officer
B. M.
Reports Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on the contradictory announcements of the Belgrade and New York residences on the arrival in the USA of Kondo and Sukniqi
SECRET
Copies No.____
Tirana, on 25.11.1985
Wireless center. No. 1462 dated 25.11.1985 instructs Rez. New York:
Some time ago, you informed us that the fugitives Aleksandër Kondo and Xhelal Sukniqi came there. From our unit in Belgrade, we are told that the superiors are still in Belgrade.
Therefore verify the above and inform us more responsibly.
The wire was pulled out in two copies for the fugitives A. Kondo and Xh. Sukniqi.
DIRECTOR OFFICER
F.H
Secret
Single specimens
Tirana, on 28.12.1985
New York with wire No. 1636 dt. 23.12.1985 announces:
Takuam “6131”. Announced that Alexander Kondo has not come here yet. Although it is equipped with all the relevant documents and US visa, how is it held there for the trial case we have notified you. As to the above, the source spoke to us for sure.
Note: Passed to Comrade B.M. that follows it as a problem
Operational Workshop
P. K.
Secret
Copies No. two
Tirana, on January 4, 1986
Our mission in New York with Tel. 2266 dt. 28.12.1985, informs the MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: B.S., told us that according to a dibrani who came to America these days, the Yugoslavs killed two athletes, weightlifters.
The wire was twisted into two copies for Aleksandër Kondon and Xhelal Sukniqi.
DIRECTOR OFFICER
F. H. SECRET
Examples no. 1
Tirana on 3.1.1986
Sh. S.R. by phone no. 1586 dated 31.2.1986 T. Urgently instructs the residence of Belgrade:
According to a Kosovar emigrant living in the US, it is said that Aleksandër Kondo and Xhelal Sukniqi were killed by Yugoslavs these days. By order of sh. Minister, verify this problem with full responsibility, and tell us how true it is.
Possibly do this today and tomorrow, because if the above statement is true, we are obliged to take a public stand. I’m waiting.
The wire was pulled in two copies for A. Kondon and Xh. Sukniqin
DIRECTOR OFFICER
F. H.
Report of the Management Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for the sentence of two months in prison, of the two Albanian athletes in Yugoslavia
SECRET
Examples no
Tirana on 3.1.1986
Belgrade with tel. no. 388 dated 31.12.1985 announces sh. S.R.
Say no. “1588”. “1740” informs that A. Kondo and Xh. Sukniqi were sentenced to two months in prison and are serving their sentences. We will be interested again again. A large number of escapees are in the prison of “Padinska Skela”, after they escaped to Austria and the authorities there, return them again.
The wire is seen from sh. Minister of sh S.R. and there are no notes
It was issued in two copies for A. Kondon and Xh. Sukniqin. /Memorie.al
DIRECTOR OFFICER
F. H.
