Saiovski Jani

He was born in Luk, Prespa region. His father died when Jani was very young and as the oldest boy he was the protector of the family. During the time of the Nazi occupation he was responsible to EPON in his village. After the Varkiza agreement he continued to work with the same enthusiasm for the ideals of EPON, for the liberation of the people. Because of that activism he was followed by the fascist forces and forced to take the path to the mountains.

With bitterness he left his devastated mother and little brothers. Leaving the house, he told his mother "Do not worry mother, the day of liberation will come quickly." And true enough, the DAG fighters from Vich closed down the police station after a short time and liberated Luk and Prespa. Jani's mother, along with all of the people of Prespa, believed that liberation for all would not be far away.

Jani served in the EPON company of the 18th brigade and took part in many battles as a corporal. In one battle he was wounded and did not want to go to the hospital. Finally he did go but even before his wound healed over he returned to the 18th brigade and was killed as a military commander of the EPON company in 1948

M Petridi

From: For Sacred National Freedom: Portraits Of Fallen Freedom Fighters

© 2009

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