By Dashnor Kaloçi
Part fourteen
Memorie.al / From 1944, when it came to power, until the end of 1990, the communist regime of dictator Enver Hoxha and his successor Ramiz Alia – based on the theory and “teachings of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin” as well as the ideology they devised and applied across nearly half the world – continuously waged class warfare, executing, imprisoning, or interning their political opponents. In this context, starting from December 1944, when Enver Hoxha and the government he headed descended from the mountains and took power, alongside executions with and without trial, the internment of tens and hundreds of families began. These were families they considered “overthrown classes” or accused of being “enemies of the people” – mainly wealthy or middle-class families, former officials of King Zog’s Monarchy, who during the occupation period had joined or supported the nationalist organizations “Balli Kombëtar” or “Legaliteti.”
This punitive “practice” of internment and deportation would also be applied to hundreds upon hundreds of communists (ranging from the simplest members to former members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the APL), deputies, ministers, military officers, and high-ranking officials, along with their families, whom Enver Hoxha and the communist regime in power would declare “traitors, revisionists, enemies of the people,” etc. From 1944 until 1949, decisions for internment and deportation were made by the “Commission for Deportations and Confiscation of Assets,” which operated under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In the following years, this commission changed its name several times until 1954, when it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Prime Ministry and named the “Internment-Deportation Commission,” which functioned regularly until 1990.
From 1954 until 1974, the chairman of that commission was Beqir Balluku, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the APL, who held the position of Minister of People’s Defense and simultaneously that of Deputy Prime Minister in the government headed by Mehmet Shehu. The vice-chairman of the commission was the Minister of Internal Affairs, Kadri Hazbiu, while the members included the Attorney General Dhori Panariti and the Chairman of the Supreme Court, Aranit Çela. (After the sentencing of Beqir Balluku in 1974, the role of Chairman of Internment-Deportations was taken by Deputy Prime Minister Manush Myftiu, and after the sentencing of Kadri Hazbiu, the role of vice-chairman was taken by Hekuran Isai).
During its entire period of existence and operation, this commission issued hundreds and thousands of decisions, deporting and interning thousands of persons who were forcibly removed from their places of residence and compelled to live in remote villages and areas of the country, from south to north. The villages containing internment camps were primarily designated by the government in the Myzeqe area of Lushnje and Fier (Savër, Çermë, Bedat, Grabian, Gradisht, Plug, Gjazë, Zhamë, Sulzotaj, Kryekuq, Karavasta, Shtyllas, etc.) – specifically in the central part of the country – to keep them as far as possible from the state borders to prevent escape from Albania.
Based on the relevant law under which the Internment-Deportation Commission operated, a person or a family was initially interned for five years, but these terms were repeated, being extended every five years. As a result, entire families – mainly from Northern Albania, such as the Gjonmarkaj of Mirdita; the Kaloshi, Sina, Alia, Dema, Dine, Mena, and Ndreu of Dibra; the Bajraktari and Kolgjini of Kukës; the Kola, Allamani, and Sulkurti of Mat; the Merlika, Kupa, and Bami of Kruja; the Mirakaj of Puka; the Radi and Gjekaj of Shkodra; the Pervizi of Kurbin; and the Mulleti and Petrela of Tirana; or those from the South of the country, such as the Dosti of Gjirokastra; the Frashëri and Çela of Përmet and Kolonja; the Staravecka of Skrapar, etc. – remained in internment locations until 1991, when the communist regime collapsed. In fact, some of them remained there for many years afterward, as they had nowhere else to go, having no corner left to shelter their heads!
Regarding the above, Memorie.al has secured a voluminous file from the Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (bearing the “Secret” stamp, but long since declassified), containing the decisions of the Internment-Deportation Commission, which we are publishing in full along with the relevant facsimiles. These include the names of the individuals and families who were deported and interned, as well as the specific charges against each of them.
Continued from the previous issue…
DECISION NO. 47 OF THE COMMISSION FOR INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA TOP SECRET
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Tirana, 5.10.1967
DECISION No. 47
The Internment-Expulsion Commission, convened on 5.X.1967, in support of the decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 2.8.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
DECIDED:
For the reason that they carry out hostile activities and pose a significant social danger, to internecine for 5 years, the following persons:
- Adnandvuhdan Dilaver Tartari, born in 1945, works in the Laboratory of the Dental Clinic, continues his university studies, son.
- Rrezearin Dilaver Tartari, born in 1947, second-year student of the Faculty of Economics, single, son.
To be interned in…
- Llesh Shkurt Macaj, born in 1920, born in Perlat i Mirdita and resident in the city of Tirana, wealthy class, with primary education, driver at the Tirana branch of Farnave, married, with children.
- Mrike Kol Macaj, born in 1920, born in Rrëshen and resident in the city of Tirana, cleaner at the State Property, his wife.
- Ndoc Llesh Macaj, born in 1947, with 7 years of education, son.
- Dile Shkurt Macaj, born in 1930, single, sister.
To be interned in…
- Pëllumb Bilal Nivica, born in 1931, born in the village of Nivicë in the Tepelena district and resident in the city of Tirana, wealthy class, with secondary education, working in the Brick Factory.
- Bilal Arif Nivica, born in 1881, unemployed, father.
- Nafije Faslli Nivica, born in 1903, unemployed, mother.
- Veli Nedin Haxhiu, born in 1927, born in the village of Verlen in Korça and resident in the city of Tirana, middle class, with primary education, worker in the “Josif Pashko” Combine.
- Shkëndije Nedin Haxhiu, born in 1929, with primary education, worker at the “21 Dhjetori” Enterprise, his wife.
- Hysen Veli Haxhiu, born in 1948, worker at “21 Dhjetori”, his son.
To be interned in…
- Petrit Maksut Zenelaj, born in 1939, born in Vlora and resident in the city of Tirana, middle class, with secondary education, accountant at N.SH.G., single.
- Kama Shate Zenelaj, born in 1900, widow, unemployed, his mother.
- Enver Maksut Zenelaj, born in 1933, accountant at the quarry, with secondary education, his brother.
- Ferzilete Maksut Zenelaj, born in 1947, seamstress, single, sister.
- Demir Maksut Zenelaj, born in 1941, worker in Geology, brother.
- Mustafa Maksut Zenelaj, born in 1924, worker in the “21 Dhjetori” Enterprise, brother.
- Esat Riza Runa, born in 1936, born in the village of Nivicë in the Tepelena district and resident in Tirana, wealthy class, married with children, with secondary education, worker in the “21 Dhjetori” Enterprise.
- Ervehe Bollo Runa, born in 1933, born in Gjirokastër and residing in the city of Tirana, worker at the N.T.L.F.Z., and his wife.
To be interned in…
- Qenan Myrteza Llohaj, born in 1934, born in Hoçisht, Korça and residing in the city of Tirana, worker at N.I.SH. Tulla, with primary education, married, with children.
- Emine Behar Llohaj, born in 1940, born in Vlora and residing in Tirana, worker at N.I.SH. Tulla, with primary education, wife.
- Qabire Sadik Llohaj, born in 1910, housewife, mother.
- Agim Myrteza Llohaj, born in 1947, worker at N.I.SH. Tulla, with 7 years of education, brother.
- Fevri Myrteza Llohaj, born in 1940, electrician by profession, driver by job, brother.
- Hatixhe Hazis Llohaj, born in 1944, with primary education, housewife, and wife.
To be interned in…
- Enver Beqir Hasa, born in 1918, born in Dibër and resident in Tirana, middle class, worker in the Municipalities, married.
- Antoneta Jorgji Treska, born in 1927, born in Korça and resident in Tirana, wife, unemployed.
- Qazim Irfan Bacaj, born in 1913, born and resident in Tirana, wealthy class, with higher education, working at the Geological Plant in Tirana, married, with children.
- Hatixhe Kapllan Bacaj, born in 1919, housewife, wife.
- Agron Qazim Bacaj, born in 1947, school student, single, son.
To be interned in…
- Vangjel Josif Beçi, born in 1918, born in Përmet and resident in the city of Tirana, with primary education, working at the “21 Dhjetori” Enterprise, married, with children.
- Savo Kozma Beçi, born in 1923, with primary education, worker at the “Josif Pashko” Combine, wife.
- Pandeli Vangjel Beçi, born in 1945, born in Përmet, student in the final year of the Faculty of Engineering, son.
To be interned in…
- Nuredin Rexhep Mullaj, born in 1933, born in the village of Floq in the Korça district and resident in the city of Tirana, poor class with 7 years of education, driver in the Municipal, married.
- Lumturi Izet Mullaj, born in 1938, with 7 years of education, kindergarten worker, his wife.
To be interned in…
- Vasil Harallamb Papa, born in 1933, born in Saranda and residing in the city of Tirana, with secondary education, working as a mechanic in the Brick Factory, wealthy class, married.
- Marije Mihal Papa, born in 1938, with secondary education, working in the laboratory of the Tractor Factory, his wife.
- Antigoni Mantho Papa, born in 1906, housewife, mother.
- Kaliopi Harallamb Papa, born in 1942, worker in the Shoe Factory, sister.
To be interned in…
- Hasan Sulejman Golemi, born in 1904, born in Berat and resident in the city of Tirana, worker at the “21 Dhjetori” Enterprise, with primary education, married, wealthy class.
- Fitnete Jahja Golemi, born in 1934, worker at N.I.L. Kimike, his wife.
- Dife Hasan Golemi, born in 1950, housewife, daughter.
- Gjyze Ali Golemi, born in 1889, mother, housewife.
To be interned in…
- Nizai Estref Çarçani, born in 1910, born in Gjirokastër and resident in the city of Tirana, wealthy class, worker at the Brick Factory, married.
- Remzije Hamit Çarçani, born in 1920, seamstress, his wife.
- Hektor Niazi Çarçani, born in 1941, born in Gjirokastra and resident in Tirana, with 7 years of education, mechanic in the Office of the Ministry of Trade.
To be interned in…
- Vehibe Abdullah Çami, born in 1918, born in Shkodra and resident in Tirana, wealthy class, worker in the Porcelain Factory.
- Bardhyl Skënder Çami, born in 1936, with primary education, disabled, unemployed.
- Faruk Skënder Çami, born in 1939, with 7 years of education, mechanic in the Truck Park, his son.
To be interned in…
- Xhemal Shefqet Mustafaraj, born in 1922, born in Golem, Tepelena and resident in the city of Tirana, worker in the Brick Factory, married, wealthy.
- Ervehe Zylfo Mustafaraj, born in 1927, housewife, wife.
- Sultane Xhemal Mustafaraj, born in 1949, single, housewife, daughter.
To be interned in…
- Hamit Tahsim Rami, born in 1912, born in Saranda and resident in the city of Tirana, wealthy class, with secondary education, electrician in an electrical equipment company, married.
- Sanije Telha Rami, born in 1920, with primary education, housewife, wife.
- Tajar Hamit Rami, born in 1948, with 7 years of education, single, worker in the P.T.T. son.
- Afërdita Hamit Rami, born in 1950, student, daughter.
To be interned in…
- Tefik Mustafa Xhindole, born in 1906, born in Lushnje and resident in the city of Tirana, wealthy class, with primary education, worker in the State Treasury, married.
- Lutfije Ferhat Xindole, born in 1908, housewife and wife.
- Burhan Tafil Xindole, born in 1935, with secondary education, electrician, son.
- Sabahudin Tafil Xindole, born in 1937, with secondary education, shoemaker, son.
- Gramoz Tafil Xindole, born in 1942, with 7 years of education, carpenter, son.
- Bujar Tafil Xindole, born in 1944, with 7 years of education, worker, son.
- Ferdinand Tafil Xindole, born in 1951, student, son.
- Agron Tafil Xhindole, born in 1946, with secondary education, technical, and working in Ulzë, son.
To be interned in…
- Bejhane Beqo Çela, born in 1908, born in Shkodër and residing in the city of Tirana, middle class, unemployed, divorced.
- Biznatina Selami Çela, born in 1934, single, worker, daughter.
To be interned in…
- Xhemal Xhafer Alliu, born in 1906, born in Krujë and residing in the city of Tirana, wealthy class, with secondary education, married, retired.
- Sulltane Qazim Alliu, born in 1919, housewife, wife.
- Muharrem Xhemal Alliu, born in 1934, with secondary education, painter at the Ministry of Trade, son.
- Suzana Xhemal Alliu, born in 1951, housewife, daughter.
To be interned in…
The internment began on 5.X.1967 and ended on 5.X.1972. Memorie.al
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU ————————
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
LEFTER GOGA ARANIT ÇELA
Continued in the next issue…
