Kasëm Qafëzezi, senior military man, political activist, passed away in Berat. He was born in Qafëzez, Kolonjë, in 1880. He went to high school in Manastir (North Macedonia), studied at the Military Academy in Istanbul and qualified as a post-academic in Vienna (Austria). He served in the Ottoman Army up to the position of regimental commander. He left office and was involved in the anti-Ottoman uprisings of 1910-1912. He helped in the formation and organization of the Albanian National Army (1912–1914). He reached the rank of colonel and had high functions. He commanded the Southern forces of the Government of Vlora for the protection of Albanian lands from Greek chauvinists during the Balkan War. Took part in the Vlora War (1920). Minister of War in the Government of Fan S. Noli. He unsuccessfully led the war against the forces that brought Ahmet Zog to power (December 1924). After December 1924 he emigrated to Italy. He returned to his homeland from political emigration and settled in Berat, where he died. (In the photo: Kasem Qafzezi)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 3 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2009, page 2139.
Graphic processing: AHCF
