“In the attempt at 8:00 o’clock, Fatmir Ismail Duro, a resident of Orman – Pojani, Korçë, was killed for illegal border crossing, while his friend…”/How the Australian dream of two young men from Korçë was extinguished in ’90

Memorie.al / On the evening of June 9-10, 1990, two friends from Orman Pojani, Korçë, aged 25 and 27 respectively, attempted to flee through the Shelegur Border Post in the Kolonjë District. The young men had heard that crossing the border was no longer considered “treason against the homeland.” Fatmir Duro intended to leave because he had family in Australia, while his friend, who was getting married in a few days, aimed to recover economically.

Precisely in the early hours of June 10, 1990 (the hour of the killing is contradictory with the intent of manipulation), the border guards spotted them. They killed the 27-year-old Fatmir Duro. The entire post, led by the commander, was on its feet. They did not hide their satisfaction that “they killed one.” The late Fatmir is seen in the photo massacred with one of the strangest wounds a killing can produce. The other person managed to flee the crime scene, but was arrested by a policeman in Barmash. He was sentenced to 3 and half years in prison for attempting to cross the border illegally.

Ministry of Internal Affairs Communiqué No. 136, dated 11.6.1990

On 10.6.1990, Irfan Sali Liçi, 27 years old, resident of Orman Pojan, Korçë, cooperative member, was detained because his external characteristics were identical to the border violator who fled in an unknown direction in a confrontation with the border unit of the Shelegur border post. In the attempt at 8:00 (A.M.) on 10.6.1990, Fatmir Ismail Duro, a resident of Orman – Pojan, Korçë, was killed for illegal border attempt.

                                     Socialist People’s Republic of Albania

                                  General Investigation (Prosecutor’s Office)

Subject: Regarding Fatmir Duro from Korçë, killed while illegally crossing the border

To the Minister of Internal Affairs

Simon Stefani

Tirana

On 9.6.1990, at the Shelegur border point in Ersekë, Fatmir Smail Duro, aged 25, and Irfan Sali Liçi, aged 27, both residents of Orman village, Korçë district, attempted to cross the border into Greece.

The district investigation office initiated the criminal case for illegal border crossing. On 9.6.1990, around 24:00 (midnight), Irfan, in cooperation with Fatmir, attempted to cross the border illegally.

Both of these individuals near the border in the sector of the Shelegur border post clashed with the border unit. They were called upon to surrender, but they did not stop.

The border unit shot its weapons, killing Fatmir Duro. His corpse was sent to his family members. Irfan was temporarily able to flee, but was captured a few hours later and arrested. On 17.6.1990, he was sent to court.

Chairman of the General Investigation Office.

Investigation Testimony: Irfan Liçi, from wedding, to border, to prison

Fatmir Duro’s body was massacred by multiple bullets that penetrated him. A very large wound was visible right in the middle of his chest. The survivor of the incident, his friend Irfan Liçi, was arrested and brought to trial. In the month of July, he was supposed to have his wedding day. Initially, he did not tell the truth, but then in the second confession, he recounted the story of the event at the border.

Irfan Liçi: After the changes to the law by the People’s Assembly (May 1990 – note), Fatmir Duro kept finding me and talking to me. I talked with him like with other villagers. After the law change, he stayed close to me. He had told me he had family in Australia, which I knew because he had continuously received gifts. He told me that his cousin in Australia had died and Fatmir would inherit his wealth.

At this time, Fatmir Duro came home. He didn’t come inside, but whistled from outside. He came twice in the evening and then came in the morning. On the morning of June 9, 1990, I took about 1,000 lek in a suitcase from home. I told my father I was going to buy clothes and food for my wedding, which was set for July 29, 1990. Fatmir told me to find a bicycle and leave, as it was getting late. We came from Lubonik to Korçë by city bus. Fatmir’s idea that we might escape and bring money to the family convinced me. I had never been to the Kolonjë District, while Fatmir had been several times; he had seen the place and the pyramid that was visible from the road.

Since on June 9, 1990, I would cross the border with Fatmir Duro, I had told my family that I would slaughter the goat I had bought and call my father-in-law Nizam Berberi and my fiancée Ardiana. My brother, Nazmiu, who is separated from us (lives in his own house), also came that evening. We ate and drank in my house that night. I hadn’t told my family members that I would cross the border. We stayed around Ersekë until 17:30 (5:30 P.M.). Then we boarded the Lekovik bus. We got off the bus in the village of Radanjë.

We walked down to the place where the pyramid (border marker) was visible. Fatmir told me we would wait until it got dark. We set off through the forest. Around 23:30 (11:30 P.M.) we heard a gunshot. Upon hearing this, we didn’t walk any further but stayed in a hidden spot. I even fell asleep where we stayed. Fatmir didn’t sleep because he was cold. He was lightly dressed, while I was heavily dressed. He told me to leave, as he no longer heard the noise, only some dogs barking. Around 2:00 A.M. on June 10, 1990, we set off again. We walked towards the border where the pyramid was visible.

We stayed there until dawn. When it got light, Fatmir told me to continue the journey. We passed a place with wires that made noise. We heard soldiers’ voices and turned back. We stayed retreated until the noises stopped. It was 7:00 A.M. We moved to the right side to avoid the soldiers. We saw a box there, but Fatmir told me not to step on it, as it would set off an alarm. We crossed the soft ground by walking on stones so as not to leave a signal. There was a hedge of bushes there. Fatmir held me by the arm, as I have sciatica (nerve pain).

Then we crossed a thin wire, which was tied to some stakes. As soon as we climbed to the top of the hill, Fatmir told me that the border should be here, but we had to be careful because it was a bare area. The moment we started to run, the soldiers shot at us. I ran away, I didn’t see where Fatmir ran off to. I came out into a field with trees, where a villager was mowing grass. I asked him for the direction to Leskovik. Then I walked on the road to get to Ersekë. I walked on foot. In Barmash, a policeman asked me who I was. He asked for my ID card. I showed it to him and lied, but he took me to the Department of Internal Affairs, Ersekë. / Memorie.al