When Sandro Pertini demanded the release of Zai Fundo and Gani Kryeziu!

2025-10-26 12:25:00, Aktualitet CNA

A letter sent by Sandro Pertini, former president of Italy in the 1980s, who during the Second World War was a political exile from the Fascist regime, as an anti-fascist, Socialist (he would later become chairman of the Italian Socialist Party).

former president of Italy, Sandro Pertini

In a letter addressed to the Italian Foreign Minister Umberto Ricci, dated August 20, 1943, he informs the minister that according to the head of the Italian government and King Victor Emmanuel, they should be released from internment in Ventotene, among which are the names of Llazar (Zai) Fundo and Gani Kryeziu, both of whom were interned in Ventotene as anti-fascists.

Inside the island where the foundations of the EU were laid and intellectual Llazar Fundo was exiled
June 9, 12:15

For these Sandro Pertini asks to be released and return to their homeland according to their wishes. Later the fate of both is known by the Albanian and Yugoslav communists, for Zai Fundo murder, being considered a traitor and for Gani Kryeziu persecution, arrests, confiscation of assets by the Yugoslavs.

Gani Kryeziu

Letter from Sandro Pertini to Italian Foreign Minister Umberto Ricci

Letter from Sandro Pertini to Italian Foreign Minister Umberto Ricci

Rome 20 August 1943

His Excellency UMBERTO RICCI

Foreign Minister.

ROMA

In accordance with the invitation extended to me by VE in this morning's audience, we report to VE describing the situation of our comrades in prison still held captive in Ventotene.

1. About 70 political internees have not yet been released because they are registered by the Fascist police as anarchists. Now, according to the guarantee given by the head of government who at that time also appeared in the press, according to which there would be no political discrimination for the political prisoner released from prison, saying that the prisoners – as VE said this morning – they should enjoy the freedom already granted like everyone else.

2. There are also about 50 internees in Ventotene among the Slavs and minorities. For the minorities, the EV is requesting that they return to their homes and that the Slavs be sent to another locality.

3. There are also 5 Spanish citizens interned in Ventotene. They, for various reasons, seek to remain free in Italy, in another locality, as long as the current regime in Spain continues.

4. Then there are the following special cases: Menghestu Isacco, Ethiopian, former university student in Rome, who would like to resume his studies with the help of the Ministry of East Africa; Lombardo Carmelo, Sicilian, ideological anti-fascist, for whom the reason for his arrest in Ventotene is unknown; Luigi Zanon, son of an Italian father residing in Barcelona, ??has always lived in Spain ideologically anti-fascist, is not a member of any political group, he would stay in Rome, where he would have the opportunity to work; Fundo Llazar and Gani Kryeziu, Albanians, who seek to return to their homeland.

We believe it is appropriate to remind VE once again that the further stay of these internees in Ventotene could cause serious consequences given the presence in the place of hostile German troops with the internees, and the state of hatred that may be in the souls of our fellow prisoners remaining in captivity despite the promises of the head of government.

With respect

Avv. Sandro Pertini a political exile.

Publicist Dino Roberto

Reference: Central State Archives, Italy./ CNA