Written by: Mal Berisha
A painful story that broke my heart
It was 2002. At the time, I was an UNMIK employee in Kosovo and I happened to witness a conversation that later turned out to be a tragic prophecy.
Nazim Morina, a friend of my family, a simple benefactor and patriot from Rahovec, calls me one day on the phone from Switzerland and, after greeting me, says:
"Mr. Berisha, please be careful, because I'm afraid they will kill you!"
I actually took it as a joke and told him that I had no worries, let alone any fear.
Nazim, after giving me some explanations, told me:
"Mr. Berisha, I know this very well, but you could be killed 'in vain', because they could take you as a target, confusing you with someone else."
Again, with that skepticism of mine, I said:
"No one knows their end, but I know that no one has any reason to do this to me."
Then he told me:
"I've seen your recent photos and you look a lot like someone who is being targeted for assassination. He is Colonel Tahir Zemaj."
Colonel Zemaj had survived two assassination attempts by that time, so my friend was worried that I might suffer something too, simply based on the resemblance to that man I had never seen.
In fact, due to a health trauma at the time, my appearance had changed a lot and, due to my half-gray beard, some similar features, and being almost the same age as the colonel, we must have had some resemblance.
HOW I SAW AND RECOGNIZED COLONEL TAHIR ZEMAJ FOR THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME IN FRONT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT IN PEĆ
Coincidentally, just a few days after this conversation, I had the opportunity to see the colonel in the courtroom of the Peja District Court.
The international judge had called Colonel Tahir Zema to testify. According to the court's rules, he came, greeted her, provided all the information, testified on the issues he was asked about, and concluded his testimony.
The judge, after closing the minutes, addressed a question to the colonel that shocked me:
"Colonel Zemaj, thank you for coming to court. I'm interested to know: weren't you afraid to come, since it's openly said that you're being followed to kill you?"
The colonel replied:
"Honorable Madam Judge! You surprise me with this question!"
"I am a soldier. I am a fighter and a patriot and many times I have put my life in danger for Kosovo. That is why I do not know what fear is. In this specific case, I fulfilled my duty as a citizen of my Kosovo, for which I fought. I respected the court and testified, not as a defendant. As for the safety of my life for my coming here, you who have called me should feel responsible."
The judge remained speechless.
Shortly after, on January 4, 2003, he was killed in the middle of Peja, along with his son, Enes Zemaj, 22, and grandson, Hasan Zemaj, 24, causing Kosovo a great loss, a grave wound, and a shameful and undeserved record in its recent history.
Today I remember it with reverence and I want to put my photo from that time next to that man's, which do indeed bear some resemblance. My friend from Switzerland might have been right...!
Today, on the day of the hero's fall, I wish to recite:
Unforgettable Colonel Tahir Zemaj, holder of the "Hero of Kosovo" medals, awarded by the President of the Republic of Kosovo, and the "Honor of the Nation", awarded by the President of the Republic of Albania.
Eternal honor!
edition
t7 live
