ARRESTS AND TORTURE OF MACEDONIANS IN THE SERES AREA

ARRESTS AND TORTURE OF MACEDONIANS IN THE SERES AREA

June 24, 1934

Macedonian peasants, especially the poor ones, are dragged through the jails because of unpaid debts of only 60 to 100 Drahmas. Six days ago, in addition to those arrested for their unpaid debts, a number of peasants from the village Frashtani (92) were arrested and accused of supplying the Komitajis. Nine more peasants were taken to jail from Kseropotamo (93) and charged likewise. These two villages are located within two hours walking distance from Seres and seven hours from the Bulgarian border. All these poor Macedonians do not know Greek and only speak their own language. Under torture they were forced to admit that Komitajis had been passing through their villages.

Many convicts from the prisons at Seres

“Rizospastis”, ar. 105 (7042), 26. VI 1934, s. I.

(92) A village in the district of Seres.

(93) This village has not been identified.

(Page 69, The University of “Cyril and Methodius”, Documents on the Struggle of the Macedonian People for Independence and a Nation-State, Volume II)

OPPRESSION AND PLUNDER OF MACEDONIANS

July 19, 1934

The following is a letter we have received from Kozani which on the one hand demonstrates the suffering experienced by the Macedonian minority at the hands of the captains – plunderers (94) who are in the service of Greek democracy, and on the other, the latest reckless exploitation of woods belonging to Macedonians by various capitalists who want to impose their monopoly over the forestry industry and to expropriate the poor lumberjacks. Because of this, all those employed in the wooded areas should rise against the methods of reckless exploitation which are now being applied in the forests.

Comrade “Rizospastis”

The knife has cut deep into the flesh and reached the bone. The Greek government has struck us a heavy blow. It has left us at the mercy of Captain Marko Papaterpov, an Andart (95) and goat thief who robs us of our forests which provide a living for 2000 Macedonian families from Dolni and Gomi Nestram (96). This plundering of the woods has aroused all the villagers, young and old alike. We oppressed Macedonians address you and ask you to help us in our struggle because you have been leading us for some time now. Our village commune demands your support as well as the support of all the workers throughout the country.

Nestram, July 19, 1934

Many Macedonians

“Rizospastis” ar. 130 (7067), 22. VII 1934 s. 4

(94) Leaders of the Greek detachments which operated in Southern Macedonia during the so-called “Macedonian Struggle” (1903-1908).

(95) A Greek - member of the Greek Chetnik (insurgent) detachments which operated in the period between 1903 and 1908 in Macedonia, imposing Greek influence.

(96) A village in the district of Kostur.

(Page 70, The University of “Cyril and Methodius”, Documents on the Struggle of the Macedonian People for Independence and a Nation-State, Volume II)

BEATINGS AND ARRESTS OF SOLDIERS - MACEDONIAN

August 12, 1934

Voden

- We Macedonians make up the majority in the 30th Regiment, and therefore our life here is very difficult. Whenever anyone utters a Macedonian word, he is punished with 10-15 days in jail. We are called “ignoramuses” and are constantly beaten. Disciplinary measures are taken every day, and we are often ordered to do forced labour. In spite of all this, we shall continue to speak our language and to sing our revolutionary songs. We are prepared to resist the pressure against us, which is being made in order “to throw” us into a war, and we shall fight fascism.

A Macedonian correspondent from the 30th Regiment in Voden.

“Rizospastis”, ar. 152 (7089), 12. V11I 1934, s. 5.

(Pages 70-71, The University of “Cyril and Methodius”, Documents on the Struggle of the Macedonian People for Independence and a Nation-State, Volume II)

“RIZOSPASTIS” ON THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSED MACEDONIANS (97)

November 13, 1934

The Workers and communists “Rizospastis”,

The tiroriata (98) against the Macedonians in the district of Sorovich (99) has reached its peak. Macedonian women who sell 20 kilos of peppers in order to buy a kilo of bread and butter for their families are taken (100) to the market inspectorate (101) to buy market licenses (102). The women who did not know Greek, went together, in order to be able to complain, with a peasant who spoke Greek to the market inspector (103). However, the inspector, enraged, told them to submit a written complaint (104) and asked them to immediately pay 60 Drahmas each.

This is one more reason why we should organize groups of Macedonians in order to fight for an independent state.

A Macedonian

“Rizospastis”, ar. 213 (7151), 13. XI 1934, s. 3.

(97) The original was published in the Macedonian language.

(98) A Greek expression meaning “terror”.

(99) A town in Aegean Macedonia.

(100) A local dialect expression was used.

(101), (102), (103), (104) - Greek expressions were used.

(Page 71, The University of “Cyril and Methodius”, Documents on the Struggle of the Macedonian People for Independence and a Nation-State, Volume II)