Ali Begeja (1888–1947) was an

Albanian Albanian may refer to: *Pertaining to Albania in Southeast Europe; in particular: **Albanians, an ethnic group native to the Balkans **Albanian language **Albanian culture **Demographics of Albania, includes other ethnic groups within the country ...

politician. He served as mayor of Tiranë in 1922–23 and as deputy of Durrës in 1924 and 1937–40. "Begeja" family is one of the oldest authentic Tirana's families, having settled since in late 18th century. They originated in Kruje neighborhood of Begeja, and moved to Tirana after the Toptani family seized power.
Ali Begeja was lawyer by profession. In 1908, he participated in a commission led by Refik Toptani for spreading the Albanian language. In 1910, he participated in the Third Congress of Monastir as a delegate of Tirana. From 1911 to 1914 he served as a judge. As a supporter of

Prince Wied Prince Wilhelm of Wied (German: ''Wilhelm Friedrich Heinrich Prinz zu Wied'', 26 March 1876 – 18 April 1945), reigned briefly as sovereign of the Principality of Albania as Vilhelm I from 7 March to 3 September 1914, when he left for exile. H ...

, he received the medal for "Faith and Unity" (Alb:Besë e Bashkim).
Begeja participated in the

Congress of Lushnje A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ad ...

as a delegate of "Drita" cultural-patriotic society of Tirana. He server as a mayor during 1922–1923. In 1924, he was elected in the National Assembly as a representative of

Tirana District Tirana District () was one of the 36 districts of Albania, which were dissolved in July 2000 and replaced by 12 newly created counties. It had a population of 523,150 in 2001, and an area of . Its territory is now part of Tirana County: the munic ...

. In 1927, he served as Chairman of the

Chamber of Commerce A chamber of commerce, or board of trade, is a form of business network. For example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to ad ...

. In 1937, he was elected again in the

Albanian Parliament The Parliament of Albania ( sq, Kuvendi i Shqipërisë) or Kuvendi is the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Albania; it is Albania's legislature. The Parliament is composed of no less than 140 members elected to a ...

as a representative of Durres District.
Begeja worked as a lawyer until 1947 when the Communist regime arrested him as part of the alleged " enemy of the people" Group of Representatives (Alb: Grupi i deputetëve). Dur to the harsh conditions and the tortures, he died in prison in 1947. One of the streets in the old part of Tirana (Selvia) is named after him.

References

1888 births 1947 deaths Mayors of Tirana People from Durrës 20th-century Albanian lawyers People from Scutari vilayet Albanian people who died in prison custody Prisoners who died in Albanian detention People from the Ottoman Empire {{Albania-mayor-stub