photographed on his property in Durres

Born on December 5, 1947, in Rakicë, Korçë, Gëzim Spaho attempted to escape Albania in the spring of 1967, near the area between the two Prespa Lakes, together with a friend. Their motivation was the hope for a better life. After being held for three months under interrogation, they were pressured into admitting that the escape had been planned.

The Korçë Court, with decision no. 16, dated May 24, 1967, found him guilty and sentenced him to 8 years in prison. He served half of his sentence at Reeducation Unit 315 for adolescents in Gradishtë, Belsh, and the remainder at Unit 303 in Spaç, where he became a witness to the infamous Spaç Prison Revolt.

Gëzim was released from the Spaç prison camp on December 3, 1974, after serving 7 years, 7 months, and 26 days. Following his release, he was interned in the village of Shetaj in Ishëm, Durrës District. Later, he was sent to Hamallaj, where he met his wife, also a victim of persecution. The couple lived under extremely difficult conditions in a makeshift barrack.