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Origin
[edit]The Alizoti Family originates from Gjirokastër, Albania. The families first major influence stems from Alizot Pasha. Alizot was named the Pasha of Gjirokastër after marriage to a local wealthy woman. His title of Pasha entitled him to rule over Gjirokastër and surrounding areas from the Castle of Gjirokastër. However, in the late 1700's, the Castle and the area he ruled was taken from him by the more powerful Ali Pasha of Ioannina.
Hardships
[edit]The families influence resurged in the 19th century by the work of Fejzi Bej Alizoti. Fejzi, a local politician and later political figurehead, established the Alizoti family as center of Albanian Political Influence. However, due to ties with noncommunist parties, the Alizoti family was targeted by the Albanian communist party in efforts to eradicate any influence they may have. Fejzi Bej was executed as well as one of his sons Riza Alizoti. Riza was wrongly found guilty of tampering and harming Albanian oilfields which he was employed at as a lead engineer. Other members of the Alizoti family were targeted and placed in communist concentration camps where they were held and some tortured.
Fejzi was survived by his eldest son Hasan Alizoti. Hasan was military trained in Austria during his youth and later returned to Albania where he became prefect of Berat.
The Family Today
[edit]The Alizoti family still has surviving members from both Hasan and Riza Alizoti. However, although still influential in Albanian politics, some members of the Family have spread beyond Albania's borders.