By Spartak Topollaj
Memorie.al publishes some archival documents taken from the Central State Archive (fund of the former Central Committee of the ALP), which belong to 1947 and talk about the so-called “Enemy group of Edip Tërshana, Jani Konomi and Hysni Alimerkos ”, who together with eight other people, were arrested since June of that year and after being detained and tortured for some time, went to court in November, where the Military Court of Elbasan, presided over by Captain I, Myftar Grabocka, sentenced to death its chief leaders and others to severe imprisonment. Who was Edip Tërshana and the famous promo he sent to Enver Hoxha a few days before the execution, which he accused of grave national treason, and that led to his execution on January 17, 1948.
The National Liberation Movement is in betrayal of the Homeland, because not only did it give up Kosovo and Dibra, but today with the People’s Power, Albania is in the captivity of Belgrade politically and economically.
Immediately after coming to power in late November 1944, until the end of 1990, the communist regime of Enver Hoxha began and continued in a linear fashion, strikes with arrests, imprisonments, executions and internments against the so-called groups. hostile, which for the most part he staged himself through the State Security.
Such a thing turns out to have happened 53 years ago, on November 21, 1947, when the Military Court of Elbasan, which extended its functions to the city of Peshkopi, tried and convicted a so-called hostile group, led by; Edip Tërshana, Jani Konomi and Hysni Alimerkos, who were accused of being the “head of the group” were sentenced to death.
While the rest of the defendants, received different sentences; from life imprisonment to up to 15 years in prison. As it is known from this archival document, with the decision of the Military Court of Elbasan headed by Captain I, Myftar Grabocka, which we publish exclusively for Memorie.al, the group in question consisted mostly of intellectuals with high schools (graduates of European universities), who during the War had lined up on the side of the so-called Democratic Front and until that period of time when they were arrested, had served as officials of the People’s Government.
Their arrest and sentencing came after the sentencing of the so-called “Group of Deputies” in Tirana, and always referring to the document in question, the “Bishop Group”, was related to the group that was convicted in Tirana. In addition to the sentencing decision of this group, in this article we are also publishing a letter, the memorandum that Edip Tërshana, who was labeled as the “head of the group”, sent to Enver Hoxha, shortly before the execution.
The memorandum in question, which Tërshana was able to get out of the cell hidden in the body clothes that the family took, must be said to be quite well-known, as it has been published other times, but we are bringing it back to the reader’s attention. , to see the clarity of thought, the deep analysis and the courage shown by him, to tell openly to Enver Hoxha, about the criminal regime that he and his clique were installing in Albania. How to compare that memorandum with the decision of the Military Court (its propaganda and political side), where a big gap is clearly visible…?!
Decision of the Military Court of Elbasan
Judgment of the Military Court of Elbasan with functions in Peshkopi, on the imposition of death sentences on Edip Tërshana, Jani Konomi, Hysni Alimerko and convicts deprived of liberty of other defendants of the Peshkopi Group.
Bishop 21.11.1947
In the name of the people
The Elbasan Military Court with functions in Peshkopi, was formed by:
First Captain Myftar Grabocka Chairman
Lieutenant R…. H…. member
N / Toger Sh…. I…. member
Tue were ready and the prosecutor, Captain II, K qenë .. M…. and with the assistance of the Captain Secretary, A…. H…
Today on 21.11.1947 was convened to try the defendants;
1). Edip Tërshana from Dibra e Madhe and resident in Peshkopi, registered on May 17, 1947.
2). Jani Konomi from the village of Narta in Vlora and resident in Vlora, listed on 25.8.1947.
3). Hysni Alimerko from the village of Tragjas in Vlora and resident in Vlora.
4). Rexhep Mborja from Mborja of Korça and resident in Korça.
5) Alqi Nushi born and resident in Berat listed on 3.11.1947.
6). Abaz Shehu was born and resides in the village of Brezhdan in Peshkopi, enrolled on June 23, 1947.
7). Refat Dibra from Shkodra and resident in Peshkopi provisionally, listed on June 19, 1947,
8). Medi Ndreu, born and resident in the village of Slovo, Peshkopi, listed on 17; 9.1947,
9). Adem Shehu was born and lives in the village of Brezhdan in Peshkopi, listed on 17.9.1947,
10). M…. Sh…. (name not read), born in Tirana and resident in Peshkopi listed on May 17, 1947 and 12)
11). F… P… (name not read), born and resident in Zerqan, listed on 17.9.1947, accused of:
All the above-mentioned defendants, being organized with each other in different terrorist groups, have committed crimes against the people and the State, with the main goal of overthrowing the People’s Power by violence.
After discussing the issue in fact-
Finds
That all the defendants in cooperation with each other and in an organized manner have formed various terrorist groups both in the city (Peshkopi) and in the districts, headed by the defendant; Edip Tërshana, Jani Konomi, Hysni Alimerko, Rexhep Mborja, Alqi Nushi and in cooperation with the defendants, Selim Gracani, Adem Shehu and others like Refat Dibra …(the names of five people cannot be read. Our note ), where a part of the defendants being long associated and members of the so-called terrorist organization: Democratic Party, Socialist, Ball, Legality and others, these terrorist organizations that have been discovered with their Central Committees in Tirana, having led by enemies of the people and the state such as Gjergj Kokoshi, Suat Asllani, and finally the Group of Deputies, traitors and others like them, whose organizations, the defendants have had close ties being their members and as such have made commitments to expand these organizations by working in this County and other districts.
For all these, the court is fully convinced that all the defendants were aware of the activity carried out and sworn enemies of the People’s Power, being consistent in this regard, because they knew well the consequences of the activity, after all the defendants, with the exception of three or four cases, there are intellectuals with higher education and government officials who have known how to weigh everything, and as such, are responsible for sabotaging the work in each sector entrusted to them by the Government, as well as for the existence of criminal fugitives and enemies of the people in this County.
The activity of all defendants is proven by their direct and partially indirect deposition before the court, as well as by the minutes developed by the State Security section, as well as by the Appeal reports of the Public Prosecution of this City.
The guilt of all defendants is foreseen by Article 3. of numbers 1. 3. and 8. of laws no. 372 dated 12 December 1946, on criminal offenses against the people and the State, published in the Official Gazette No. 118 dated 28.12.1946 and punished by Article 4, paragraph I of the above law.
THEREFORE
The trial panel jointly and in accordance with the prosecutor’s request
Decided
The sentencing of the defendants Edip Tërshana from Dibra e Madhe, Jani Konomi from Narta Vlora and Hysni Alimerko from Tragjasi in Vlora to DEATH, permanent loss of civil political rights
Sentencing of defendants; Rexhep Mborja and Alqi Nushi with deprivation of liberty for life, with forced labor and with loss of political and civil rights for so long.
Sentencing of defendants; Selim Gracani, Adem Shehu with 15 years of deprivation of liberty, forced labor and loss of political and civil rights for 5 years.
Sentencing of the defendant Rifat Dibra to 10 years of deprivation of liberty, forced labor and loss of political and civil rights for 5 years.
And the sentence of the defendants: (the names of five persons cannot be read), with 3 years of deprivation of liberty, forced labor and loss of political and civil rights for 5 years. The sentence began according to the date of their enlistment.
All defendants are jointly assigned to pay and court costs lek 54.
As for the death sentences, the acts are sent to the High Military Court for Review and Approval. For all other defendants this decision can be challenged within 8 days from the date of declaration.
Bishop, on 21.11.1947
S e k r e t a r i President of the Military Court
(Beluli Sulo) Captain I, Myftar Grabocka
Tërshana’s memorandum: “Enver, you are making this grave for the homeland even with your foreign policy…”!
Enver!
The National Ideal has made me opposed to the National Liberation Movement.
I was in Debar its creator.
The National Liberation Movement is in betrayal of the Homeland, because not only did it give up Kosovo and Dibra, but today with the People’s Power, Albania is in the captivity of Belgrade politically and economically.
Today Slavic organizers are the ones who run the state and pre-state affairs. This is betrayal. Today your Slavic foreign policy has caused the UNC to be against us losing many friends; this is Betrayal.
I am against the murders with trial and without trial, which are done to this people, because that is what the Slavs want.
For the 20,000 – 30,000 who are in prison, because they are not Slavic “Communists”. This is betrayal. I am against robbing him.
This is the power that impoverished the Albanian market to dress the puppies of Russia and left the people naked, while we had underwear for 20 years; this is therefore betrayal.
I am against this Government, because it is speculative to rob the people with the Law and the goods seized by the traders are being sold at a higher price than what they had, leaving on the streets a number of families of traders who are supposed to be speculators.
The government is speculating that it took the corn for 10 lek and sold it for 11.50; he took the grain for 10 lekë, he sold it for 15, he took the tobacco for 15-20 fr and he sold it for 100-120 fr. The people of the U.N.R.A.S did not see the goods, that a large part of it, went to Russia and Tito. This is betrayal.
I am against that for two years we have spent two billion and several million fr. Albanian to feed Pecot and Front mashores. Today everything is said about power, while yesterday the Nationalists said everything about the Homeland. Aren’t these betrayals?
I am against the calls “We are the sons of Stalin”, because they lower the youth so much, so low that when you mention Stalin, everyone rises to their feet. I am against ignorance that does not love culture; this is what the Slavs want. This I believe is betrayal.
I am against it because there is no freedom of speech and free press. There is only terror. This is Albanianism: to live for the Front, for others to die? I am against the fact that the History of the Unique Schools says: The Balkans in ancient times were inhabited by Greeks and Macedonians, and that the glorious Illyrians disappeared!
This is how we serve Slavic imperialism. Peter said: Russia must have three eyes: Vladivostok, Petrograd and Durrës and his disciple Stalin with today’s treacherous power in Albania, achieved this dream.
I am against robbing the clothes of “reactionaries”, as you call them, rob and eat. This is called stealing freely.
I am against, that the Defense officers here in Debar, rob the women of the world, rob the carriages and household clothes and no one said stop. This is vileness.
I am against, that trade, land and underground, the National Economy are in the hands of the Slavs. Twenty Yugoslav friends in the Albanian economy, is not this a high betrayal?
Enver!
You showed these, you were determined with the National Ideal, I was, I am against the Government and I made this clear to the people, who saw it and accepted that 95% is against the Government. The revolt is held only by great terror. He expects a poor mother after her father kills her son and sons. This too is a betrayal of popular power.
This power introduced the Tosk and Gheg divisions, Catholics and Orthodox, Muslims and Orthodox, ie high treason.
More miserable, you have been blinded by the fanaticism of ideology and you do not see the fact that you are burying the people.
This grave, you’s done to the Homeland even with your foreign policy.
Is it not treason? Long live the National Ideal, long live Albania with Kosovo, which you forgave Yugoslavia! Long live the Albanian people!
Long live the spotless national flag!
Edip Tërshana
Memorie.al
