Anonymous
Brick Number: 
04678-04682

Ivo Masina
 
Ivo Masina (Preko, island Ugljan, Croatia July 21,1927 - prison Stara Gradiska, Croatia Nov. 20,1961.) Croatian historian. As a young man, he was the best student in high school in Zadar, Croatia. Later on he went to study history on the Philosophical university, where he was known as an excellent student, one of the best. In 1953. he wrote in one of the Croatian newspapers "Slobodna Dalmacija" (Free Dalmacija) an article under the title "To Belgrade's "Republic" editorial board the truth is unpleasant." He was arrested in 1954. and later on in 1957. because of his patriotic thoughts and kept in the prison in the middle of Croatian capital, Zagreb. Militia arrested him so he couldn't pass his final exam at the university. They did everything so he couldn't complete his studies.  
 
He was brought to the court in Yugoslavia as one of the leaders, and was sentenced to 11 years. However, he managed to flee from the prison, but was caught again, and then his sentence was increased to 15 years. He was in one of the hardest prisons of then Yugoslavia, Stara Gradiska, where he was tortured and poisoned. He was killed, strangled on Nov. 20, 1961. When he was killed he was only 35 years old. For the longest time his grave was unknown, inside prison walls. However, his eartly remains were later on taken to Preko, his native place, on July 24., 1998.  Croatian association of political prisoners carries his name. Memory of him and his struggle for the truth about Croatia will never be forgotten.