Gëzim Çela was born in 1935 in Lushnjë. He was arrested on October 1, 1957, on the charge of "treason against the homeland through attempted escape" and was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment. In 1971, he was sentenced again to 8 years for "agitation and propaganda against the government." He was sentenced to an additional 12 years for participating in the Spaç revolt. He entered Spaç prison in 1971 and was released in 1984.