Raj Belissa

*This name uses Tagik naming customs; the patronymic is* Halükqizi*, while the family name is* Belissa.

**Rajaya** "**Raj**" **Halükqizi Belissa** (Beratian: *Ражая « Раж » Халүқізі Белісса*; born 14 December 1955) is a Beratian lawyer and the current spouse of the prime minister of Berat since 2017. He is married to the current prime minister Sabina Sulfizi.

Born in Caspar, Belissa attended private schooling in Caspar and boarding school in Frankenland, until moving to Delmas to enroll in Labonne University in 1974. Graduating with a law degree in 1980, Belissa received a master's degree in international law in 1981, until beginning his career as a human rights attorney in Delmas. In 1986, Belissa left his career in Delmas, returning to Caspar to work as an attorney and independence activist. In 1995, he founded his own law firm, where he practiced corporate litigation.

## Early life and education

Belissa was born on 14 December 1955 in Caspar to parents Halük Belissa (1927–2010) and Suna Dogancay (1930–2003). His father was a successful business magnate who owned a number of department stores in Berat, while his mother was a homemaker who worked in an unofficial capacity at his father's company as a financial advisor; Belissa has stated that his mother was "quite intelligent" and "business savvy," but his father preferred her to stay out of the forefront. The family was quite affluent. Belissa is the eldest of three sons; his younger brothers are Ergun, born  (1958-02-13) 13 February 1958 (age 65), and Yazik, born  (1960-08-20) 20 August 1960 (age 63).

Belissa began his education in 1962, attending a private all-boys primary school in Caspar. While in primary school, Belissa was an intelligent and popular student who was a talented wrestler. After graduating from primary school in 1970, he moved to Marigueux, Frankenland to enroll in Purault School, an independent, all-boys boarding school. While in boarding school, Belissa was both an intelligent student and gifted athlete, who was a champion wrestler and footballer. He graduated from the school in 1974, afterwards moving to Delmas to enroll in Labonne University, studying law. He graduated with a law degree in 1980, ultimately returning to the school to begin a graduate program. He received a master's degree in international law in 1981.

## Law career and activism

After graduating with his master's degree in 1981, Belissa began working as a human rights attorney at the nongovernmental organization Anges de Protection (AdP). The organization represented clients throughout the world who were victims of human rights violations and crimes against humanity. As a human rights attorney, Belissa frequently traveled in order to meet with clients internationally, working very often with clients from the Kashan Union and Tarfica. He left this position in 1986.

In 1986, Belissa left Delmas and returned to his hometown of Caspar, to participate in the growing pro-independence movement. While in Caspar, he became a legal advisor to the Beratian National Party (BNP), a pro-independence and anti-fascist political organization. While working with the BNP, Belissa also organized and participated in numerous rallies and protests throughout the country. In 1989, he left his position at the BNP and entered corporate law, working in corporate litigation at a private law firm. In 1995, he founded his own law firm with his colleague Zobu Yagmur, where they specialized in corporate litigation. Even after entering the public eye as the spouse of the Prime Minister of Berat in 2017, he has continued to work full-time in his law career.

## Spouse of the Prime Minister of Berat

Belissa became the spouse of the prime minister of Berat on 15 June 2017, succeeding Damla Ayik. Upon assuming the role, he became the first man to hold the title of spouse of the prime minister. The position is an honorary and unofficial one, with no clear duties besides accompanying the prime minister to official events. In the role, Belissa assists his wife in greeting foreign dignitaries to Berat, and making international state visits.

He is not considered the "first gentleman" as he would be in other countries, as the prime minister is not the head of state. There is no "first spouse" role in Berat, as the spouse of the head of state is the royal consort.

## Personal life

Belissa met his first wife, Maldonian attorney Ésther-Béatrice Martin, in 1977, while they were both law students at Labonne University. After Martin had fallen pregnant, they got married in 1980. Their son, Henri Martin-Belissa, born  (1980-10-03) 3 October 1980 (age 43), works as an ophthalmologist in Delmas. Martin filed for divorce from Belissa in 1984, and the divorce was finalized the following year. Their son was raised in Delmas primarily by Martin, and after Belissa returned to Caspar in 1986, they spent minimal time together. Belissa has stated that he has "some contact" with his son, but he only visits him "about once a year."

After returning to Caspar in 1986, Belissa met human rights attorney and independence activist Sabina Sulfizi while at a pro-independence protest. They began a relationship, and later became engaged in 1988, marrying the following year. Belissa and Sulfizi have three daughters together: Tulin, born  (1991-04-12) 12 April 1991 (age 32), Irem, born  (1994-09-25) 25 September 1994 (age 29), and Luna, born  (1996-03-11) 11 March 1996 (age 27). The family resided in a four-bedroom apartment in Caspar until 2017, when they moved into the House of Independence, the traditional residence of the Prime Minister of Berat and their family.

Belissa is fluent in Beratian, Kashan, Ditrovian, and Maldonian. He was raised a secular Eurean Muslim, and still identifies with the religion although he is non-practicing.