Dashnor Kaloçi
Part forty-eight
Memorie.al/ publishes several archival documents extracted from the institution of the Authority for Information on the Files of the former State Security, which contains the voluminous file (forms, investigative and judicial) of Myrteza Bajraktari, originally from Gostivar. After finishing high school in the city of Tetovo in 1952, he began his university studies at the University of Skopje, in the Philosophy department, where alongside his studies he also worked as a journalist for the newspaper “Flaka e Vllaznimit” (Flame of Brotherhood) published in Skopje. He was quickly dismissed from there after publishing an article openly opposing the displacement of Yugoslav Albanians to Turkey, and as a result, he was appointed a teacher at the “Shaban Zeneli” seven-year school in Kumanovo. The arrest of Myrteza by UDB [Yugoslav secret police] in 1956, as he was part of a secret organization called the ‘Albanian National-Democratic Organization’, and his sentencing to seven years of political prison, which he served in the prisons of Niš and Idrizovo. His escape from Yugoslavia and arrival in Albania, where after staying for some time in the internment camp in Seman, Fier, he was granted the right to higher education, graduating from the University of Tirana in the Language-Literature branch. However, after refusing an assignment to the city of Berat in 1971, he was arrested and sentenced to seven years of political prison on the charge of “agitation and propaganda.” His release from prison, being left unemployed until the fall of the communist regime, and his appointment as Consul General of Albania in Switzerland until 1993, as well as his subsequent election as Honorary Chairman of the ‘Albanian League in the World’ for the Benelux countries, where he worked for the Kosovo issue until he passed away on December 11, 2020. The entire complete file of Myrteza Bajraktari, with the names of State Security officials and officers, the pseudonyms of collaborators, “colleagues,” and “fellow patriots” who followed and surveilled him, the provocateurs in the investigation cells, the witnesses who testified against him in court, the letters sent to Enver Hoxha and high official instances requesting his innocence, etc., etc., is published for the first time by Memorie.al
Continued from the previous issue
The secret document with the report prepared by Operational Worker, Shahin Matrangasi, with data from the Security agent with the pseudonym “Pianistja” (The Pianist – female), regarding the tracking and surveillance of Myrteza Bajraktari, Aishe Shima, and the Turkish citizen, Rexhep Ay Lajçi.
Received by Op. Wrk. Shahin Matrangasi
Assisted by Deputy Head of the Counter-Intelligence Branch, Sh. Gëzim Bejko
Given by Agent “Pianistja”
Tirana, February 12, 1987
R E P O R T
The source informs that around February 5, 1987, together with Aishe Shima, Kimete and Myrteza Bajraktari, and Shpresa Toptani, they were at Idriz Zeqiri’s place, as he was turning 40 years old. In this festive environment, the conversations were warm and candid. While listening to Kosovar music performed by Kosovar singers (Idrizi had gotten the recordings from Zana Gërvalla, with whom he was friends), Aishja said: “How beautifully they sing the songs, with so much feeling, unlike our singers.” “That’s true,” said Myrteza Bajraktari, “they have purity and sensitivity.” “Yes,” said Aishja. “Even when they speak the language more purely, they express their thoughts more beautifully.”
We who were there agreed with this opinion. During the conversation, the source said: “I have requested documents from my people in Turkey, so it’s possible that I will go to Istanbul, and we two might be able to see each other there with that other one (Rexhepi); he will definitely meet you.” This conversation interested Idrizi and Aisha, while the others didn’t speak. During the talks, Bardhyl Kelmendi was mentioned, what a remarkable man he was and they reduced him to a [faturino? – likely a derogatory term meaning a low-level clerk or errand boy]. Aishja mentioned his virtues. Myrtezai added that his brother was also killed in Kosovo. During the conversation, Idrizi moved on to memories of his birthplace, Rugova.
Then they listened to the news from Kosovo, and Aishja, Myrtezai, and Idrizi commented on it. When Aishja mentioned the illness of Mina’s father, she also recalled the death of Rajko Zajkoviq, at whose funeral they went together, and Aishja had said: “How terrible that he is being buried in foreign soil.” During the conversations, Idrizi said that on New Year’s, 15 Kosovars were with their fiancées at the Hotel “Arbëria”. Later, he recalled a Kosovar who had suffered a lot here and used to say: “When I go to Istanbul, I’ll go out to the Galata Bridge and beg for alms.” But even that wish was not fulfilled, as he died here.
“Pianistja”
Clarification:
Myrteza Bajraktari, Bardhyl Kelmendi, Idriz Zeqiri, and Aishe Shima are followed as possible agents of Yugoslav Intelligence in the centralized problem “Gorrilla” (Gorilla), while Shpresa Toptani and Kimete Bajraktari are contingent [contacts].
Evaluation: The information has value as it shows that the Collab is entering their social circle and Bardhyl Kelmendi is mentioned there as a connection.
Task:
The Collab. was given the task to stay as close as possible to these targets in order to gain their trust. Likewise, she was tasked to go to Aishe Shima’s house and talk with her. A line of conduct will be assigned to her, and conversations will be recorded with T.O. [Technical Operations/Surveillance].
Operational Measures:
The information will be printed according to relevance and placed in each person’s file. T.O. will be installed in Aishe Shima’s house, and Shpresa Toptani will be studied from an operational standpoint.
Operational Worker Deputy Head of Counter-Intelligence
Shefqet Matrangasi Gëzim Bejko
The secret document with the decision prepared by Operational Worker, Oltion Frashri and the Section Chief, Nuro Sako, approved by the Director of the Directorate of Internal Affairs of Tirana, Agron Tafa, for the extension by another six months of the active processing 2/A of Myrteza Bajraktari.
Secret APPROVED
Single Copy BY THE DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Tirana, June 18, 1987 Agron Tafa
D E C I S I O N
Regarding the extension of the active processing 2/A deadline for the target Myrteza Bajraktari by another six months.
I, Operational Worker Oltion Frashër of the D.P.B. [Directorate of Internal Affairs] of Tirana, the Security side, after studying the materials of the form/file 2/A concerning the target 2/A Myrteza Bajraktari, found that:
Myrteza Fahri Bajraktari, born 1933 in Gostivar and residing in Tirana, of poor origin, convicted once with three years in prison for agitation and propaganda, married, unemployed/not organized [i.e., not a party member], working as a supplier [furnitor] at a Municipal school, of Albanian nationality and citizenship.
The aforementioned on June 17, 1952, crossed the border illegally and came from Yugoslavia to Albania. During this period, his conduct was not good, and materials emerged against him indicating that he was put in the service of Yugoslav Intelligence and engaged in agitation and propaganda. On this basis, in 1970, he was arrested together with Kapllan Resuli and sentenced to three years in prison.
On June 30, 1977, he was taken into processing 2/A as a possible agent of Yugoslav Intelligence, based on data from Collab. “Ylli” (The Star). But from the combination developed, it resulted that Myrtezai reacted well and was placed under operational control 2/B.
From data from Collab. “Furtuna” (The Storm), who processes the target 2/A Estref Kelmendi, suspicions were created that Myrtezai was conducting espionage activity through agitation and propaganda, and on May 25, 1982, he was re-elevated to active processing 2/A.
During his further processing, other materials emerged, that Myrteza Bajraktari had fallen into hostile positions, and his case is being followed in the centralized problem “Gorrilla,” precisely based on these materials:
1 – In the interrogation record of the defendant Selim Kelmendi dated February 18, 1984, he affirms: “I have carried out hostile activity against the Party and the state with Myrteza Bajraktari. With him, from the first meeting, I noted that he had dissatisfaction against the people’s power. In 1974, in a conversation I had with Myrtezain at the ‘Flora’ Cafe, I told Myrtezai that: this bad situation in Albania has come because at the head of the country is a dictator and that unless he is physically liquidated, no hopes can be held for changing the political and economic situation in the country. For myself, I had made up my mind that I would do something for his liquidation and I told Myrtezai that he too should contribute his part to this. At first, he didn’t speak, but later he expressed that he agreed to participate in the murder of the Chief Leader of the Party and the State. I told him that we would do the murder with guns and for this we needed to find weapons. He also agreed that we should find them.”
2 – In the interrogation record of the defendant Shefqet Kelmendi, dated April 13, 1984, he affirms: “After receiving the task from the employee of the Yugoslav embassy in Tirana, Qamil Muhaxheri, to carry out the task of killing the Chief Leader of the Party and the State, together with his cousin Selim Kelmendi, we discussed several times how to carry out this task and the persons we would activate for it. Selimi told me that we could activate my friend Myrteza Bajraktari for this task. So Selimi, having acquaintance and trust in Myrtezai, proposed to me that I discuss the matter of the assassination attempt against the Chief Leader with Myrtezai, being convinced that he would show himself willing.”
During this period, many Collab have been directed, such as “Gama”, “Pashtriku”, “Furtuna”, but they have not provided anything of interest to advance the processing of the target. Recently, towards him, we have engaged a Collab with the pseudonym “Flutura” (The Butterfly), whom we have the opportunity to bring into his processing. Based on the above and with the aim of documenting the hostile activity of the target Myrteza Bajraktari,
I Decided:
To extend the processing deadline by another 6 months, making the relevant changes in the Card Index [filing system].
Section Chief Operational Worker
Nuro Sako Oltion Frashri
Deputy Director of the D.P.B. of Tirana
Dashamir Bimi
The secret document with the report prepared by Operational Worker, Fuat Zyka, with data from the Security collaborator with the pseudonym “Flutura” (The Butterfly), from the “Ekonomisti” (The Economist) base, regarding the tracking and surveillance of Myrteza Bajraktari, Aishe Shima, and the Turkish citizen, Rexhep Ay Lajçi.
Received Op. Wrk. Fuat Zyka
Assisted by Sector Chief, Nuro Sako
Given by Collab. “Flutura”
Base “Ekonomisti”
February 25, 1987
R E P O R T
The source informs that she has a social friendship with Myrteza Bajraktari and Aishe Shima. Their relationships are social, and there hasn’t been any conversation between them that has drawn her attention.
In the conversations she has managed to have with Myrtezain, the latter presents himself as a fervent patriot and lives a normal family life. Myrtezai has told the source that he expects visitors from Yugoslavia, his sisters.
The source remembers that in 1985, Rexhap Ay came as a visitor to Aishe Shima’s house, who also went to visit the source’s house. Aishja went with Rexhepin to the Durrës beach, where Myrteza Bajraktari was also with them. The source has seen that Myrtezai and Rexhepi often stayed together, but she doesn’t know what they talked about with each other. The source knows Aishen as a serious woman with partisanship [loyalty to the party].
“Flutura”
Clarification:
Aishe Shima, Myrteza Bajraktari, and Rexhep Ay are followed in active processing 2/A as possible agents of Yugoslav Intelligence. The Collab has been recently engaged in collaboration, and this is her first report.
Evaluation:
The information shows the relationships between the targets Aishe Shima, Myrtezai, and Rexhepi.
Task:
The Collab was given the task to strengthen her friendship with Aishe Shima; in conversations with her, to learn about her relations with Rexhepin, whether a request has been made for Rexhepi to come as a visitor. Likewise, to strengthen her friendship also with Myrtezain.
Operational Worker
Fuat Zyka
Note by comrade Dashamir Bimi:
This is a new collaborator; until she provides [more], we should not expose too many things, because we still do not have a clear view of her perspective.
The secret document with the report prepared by Operational Worker, Shefqet Matrangasi, with data from the Security collaborator with the pseudonym “Pianisti” (The Pianist – male), regarding the tracking and surveillance of Myrteza Bajraktari, Idriz Zeqiri, Agim Gjakova, Valdete Gjinali, Aishe Shima, and the Turkish citizen, Rexhep Ay Lajçi.
Received by Op. Wrk. Sh. Matarangasi
Assisted by Deputy Head of the Intelligence Branch, sh. Gëzim Bejko
Given by Collab. “Pianisti”
Tirana, June 12, 1987
R E P O R T
The source informs that he has met several times with Idriz Zeqirin, Myrteza Bajraktarin, and Aishe Shimën. In conversations with Aishe Shimën, among other things, the talk turned to Valdete Gjinalin, who went to Turkey some time ago. She had met Rexhep Ay (Lajçin) in Turkey.
Aishja advised the source, saying: “Don’t tell anyone that she met with Rexhepin, and he did her a great honor, while Rexhepit was impressed that she hadn’t even sent him a postcard to thank him for the honor he had done her. I don’t know what kind of person she is, she ended up cursing Turkey and the life there, but why do they notice so much, oh sister? She had brought back all sorts of worldly goods [plaçkat e dynjasë – implying she brought back many material things]!
Continuing the conversations, the talk turned to Idrizin, where Aishja said: “Poor him, in his own country [Kosovo/Yugoslavia], he is condemned, that’s why he doesn’t go [back], because he was in the ‘Kosovo Youth Group,’ he was a very strong activist.” “Yes, but how did they put him in prison?” asked the source. Aishja said: “Even here, he was convicted for nothing; he was convicted in the time of Feçor Shehu, they attacked him here, and he suffered for it.”
The source went to Myrtezai’s house to see his wife, Kimeten, who had been ill. During the conversations, Myrtezai said: “I visited Kimeten, they hospitalized her, but the doctors gave no opinion, because they don’t know anything. The children of the big shots [i.e., privileged families] have become doctors, who are not intelligent,” and they laughed. “Don’t tell anyone about this, we consider you one of us [our person], and that’s why you should come and stay as if in your own house.”
“Pianisti”
Clarification:
Idriz Zeqiri, Myrtezai, and Aishja are followed in active processing 2/A as possible agents of Yugoslav Intelligence. Rexhep Ay is originally from Kosovo, residing in Turkey, came to our country as a visitor, and was followed in active processing 2/A, as an agent sent with tasks by Yugoslav Intelligence. Valdete Gjinali is not known by our side.
Evaluation:
The information is of operational interest because it mentions that Aishe Shima defends the convictions of the above-mentioned targets and considers their punishment unjust. The information is important because it mentions the meeting that Rexhep Ay (Lajçi) had in Turkey with Valdete Gjinalin.
Task:
The Collab was given the task, together with the above-mentioned targets, to go with them for a visit to Agim Gjakova’s house, with the aim of entering into conversation with him and learning more about them. /Memorie.al
Operational Workers
Shefqet Matrangasi, Gëzim Bejko
