Under the communist regime in Albania, there was a notorious place called the prison of Spac.
It was built into the face of a mountain where winters are harsh and summers insufferable.
Now, this place is not for criminals. It is reserved for people who dare to speak against the regime.
They are forced to work in the mines, surviving on scraps and enduring systematic torture.
It is a place designed to break even the toughest souls.
But then something special happens.
A small puppy slips through a hole in the prison fence.
The prisoners take him close. They feed him with what little bread they had, name him Tart, and raise him as their own.
Over time, Tart grows up to be a big, loyal dog.
For them, he’s a humane thing in a place guarded by animals.
Then they create an Albanian flag using only a piece of red quilt and paint an eagle over it. And they raise it over the terrace of the prison building. For the first time in 28 years, a flag was raised without the yellow communist star.
The message was that there was a country before communism, and there will still be one after it.
A massive fight erupts between the political prisoners and the guards, lasting almost 3 days.
During the chaos, Tart is witnessing his friends being beaten, so he fearlessly attacks the guards and the special forces.
Now, they don’t have any illusion that they can gain their freedom, but all they ask from the regime is for humane treatment.
Unfortunately, the regime rejects their demands and brings in the army.
The revolt is crushed, and every participant receives harsh punishment.
Most of them receive added sentences of up to 25 years in prison, while the four main organizers are sentenced to death.
For their sublime act of courage and resistance, today they’re remembered as martyrs of freedom.
But the regime isn’t done…
They gather all the prisoners, set up a hanging tripod, and announce that there will be one more trial.
This time, the accused is Tart.
One of the prisoners, a former Colonel, says to the guard: “Please don’t hurt him, if you want a soul, take mine instead.”
“Don’t worry”, one of the guards sneered, “Your turn will come.”
Tart becomes the fifth martyr.
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