Abas Kupi
(1901-1976) Linden 444
Abas
Kupi was an Albanian resistance leader during World War II.
In 1939, when Mussolini invaded Albania, Mr. Kupi organized
and commanded a resistance regiment. In 1942, when the
National Liberation Movement was founded, he became one of
its leaders, but at the end of 1943 broke with it and headed
a royalist legitimist movement calling for the return of
King Zog. He chose the name Legaliteti to denote legitimacy
and recall the 'Triumph of Legality' of 1924. This was the
Zogist resistance, launched at the Congress of Herri on
November 23rd. Its manifesto promised not only democratic
monarchy but also land reform, social insurance, and the
retention of 'Ethnic Albania' (with Kosovo and Chameria).
He left Albania
in 1944. In 1948, he was founder of the Committee for a Free
Albania in Paris, which opposed the Communist domination. He
came to the United States in 1967.
He lived in
Freeport, Long Island and died at the age of 75 in January
of 1976. His wife Hava, and eight children survived him.