By DASHNOR KALOÇI
Part Two
Memorie.al / Exactly 35 years ago, on February 20, 1991, thousands of citizens from Tirana and other districts across the country – who had traveled to or were present in the capital – after numerous efforts and clashes with police forces and special troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in “Skënderbej” Square, managed at 2:10 PM to topple the majestic bronze monument of the dictator Enver Hoxha, the symbol of communism in Albania. They then dragged it, tied to an “IFA” vehicle, to “Student City,” where the hunger strike of University of Tirana students was ongoing. The students were demanding that the government remove Enver Hoxha’s name from the State University of Tirana. This event, which caused a great sensation at the time throughout the country (and was broadcast by the Albanian Radio-Television during the 4:00 PM news), is now well-known. Since that time, over three and a half decades, dozens of articles, shows, photo exhibitions, archival documents, film footage, books, and TV documentaries have been published, where eyewitnesses and protagonists have given their testimonies on everything that occurred there.
The toppling of Dictator Enver Hoxha’s monument in Tirana had a “domino effect.” From that day and into the next, it sparked rallies and protests in several other cities where monuments, statues, and busts of Enver Hoxha were located, such as Durrës, Fier, Korçë, Gjirokastër, Skrapar, Poliçan, etc. These events also provoked strong reactions not only from the high leadership of the PPSH (Party of Labour of Albania) and the government of the time – who, in addition to the Ministry of Interior forces, had activated special forces and military units from the Ministry of Defense – but also from many groups and fanatics of the communist regime and ideology. Grouped under the association “Enver’s Volunteers,” they rose and organized counter-rallies, demanding the re-installation of Enver Hoxha’s monument in Tirana, as well as his busts and statues in other cities where they had been removed.
As a result of these events, there were numerous physical clashes during those days, not only between law enforcement and the angry crowds of protesters who had removed the symbols of Enver Hoxha, but also with “Enver’s Volunteers” and the students and instructors of the “Enver Hoxha” United Officers’ High School. The latter organized and demanded to march toward the center of Tirana with the statue of Enver Hoxha located at their school to place it in “Skënderbej” Square, exactly where the bronze monument had stood.
This caused outrage among dozens of capital residents who had participated in the February 20th protest. They surrounded the United Officers’ School to prevent the military students from exiting its gates and re-installing the statue. Unfortunately, these clashes resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides, as well as dozens of arrests among those who participated in the rallies to topple Enver Hoxha’s monuments. Likewise, the demand of the military students sparked a reaction from the Democratic Party, which, in addition to its engagement, distributed a communiqué throughout Tirana a few days later, inviting all citizens to observe five minutes of silence as a tribute to those killed at the United Officers’ School.
While the toppling of the monument on February 20, 1991, was broadcast and is relatively well-documented, the subsequent events until the end of February – both in Tirana and various districts, as well as events in Burrel Prison – remain largely unknown. Based on this fact, we are publishing secret archival documents from the Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (now declassified). Through operational communiqués, these documents reflect most of the events of those days, including the names of the deceased, the injured, and dozens of arrested individuals accused of participating in the protests. With few exceptions, these documents are being published for the first time by Memorie.al.
SECRET OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR DATED 25 FEBRUARY 1991, REGARDING THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED IN VARIOUS DISTRICT, WHERE DOZENS OF PERSONS WERE ARRESTED AS PARTICIPANTS IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE MONUMENT AND BUSTS OF ENVER HOXHA
PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA SECRET
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS Copy No. 1
GENERAL BRANCH Tirana, 25.2.1991
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION NO. 46
TIRANA
- On February 24, 1991, Shpresim Nuredin Deliu (18, worker), Ardian Bajram Morina (22), Arjan Sadik Hysa (soldier in Pogradec), Gjergji Grigor Morçi, Myrteza Hysen Xhunga, Shpëtim Ferra, Eduart Bajram Duraliu, and Pëllumb Hasan Tare were detained for participating in organized demonstrations and attacking law enforcement with stones and gasoline bombs (Molotovs).
- On February 24, 1991, Altin Dine Fejzullahu (soldier of unit 3225 Tirana) was detained for participating in clashes with law enforcement and striking them with stones. Also detained were Sami Mustafa Dede, Ilir Gani Shemshiri, Mustafa Ibrahim Hoxha, Shkëlqim Qazim Sallaku, Artur Sallaku, and Fatri Kanani for clashing with law enforcement.
- On February 24, 1991, Bilbil Bajram Ndreu, Agron Spaho, Besim Spaho, Agim Qose, and Bajram Kolgjini were detained for throwing stones at law enforcement.
TEPELENA
- On February 24, 1991, Kastriot Cane Bala (21, mine worker) was detained after being caught with 2 blocks of dynamite and 5 blasting caps.
KORÇA
- On February 24, 1991, Yllto Mentor Ylli (previously convicted three times) and Sherif Qemal Vedani (previously convicted twice) were detained for removing the bust of Comrade Enver and for insulting and striking police officers.
- On February 24, 1991, Bardhyl Servet Tahiri (21, soldier of unit 9518) was detained for threatening officers with an automatic weapon while on guard duty.
FIER
- On February 24, 1991, Artur Dush Ahmeti was detained for organizing an illegal rally and the removal of Comrade Enver Hoxha’s bust.
SARANDA
- On February 24, 1991, at the Vervë border point, an automatic weapon was fired by unknown persons, and the post was put on alert. At a distance of 300m, an automatic rifle (No. 3440) and 120 rounds of ammunition were found. An operational group investigated the scene.
HEAD OF THE DIRECTION GROUP:
KUJTIM XHENGO
SECRET OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR DATED 26 FEBRUARY 1991, CONCERNING THE ARRESTS OF PERSONS WHO HAD TAKEN PART IN THE DESTROYING OF THE MONUMENT OF ENVER HOXHA IN TIRANA AND BUSTS IN OTHER DISTRICTS OF THE COUNTRY
PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA SECRET
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS Copy No. 1
GENERAL BRANCH Tirana, 26.2.1991
OPERATIVE COMMUNICATION NO. 47
TIRANA
- On February 25, 1991, Hysen Ibrahim Alla (45, mine driver) was detained because he used the bus he was driving to drag the monument of Enver Hoxha.
- On February 25, 1991, Arben Metali Çela (23, student), Agron Ahmet Hamza (30, worker), Petrit Myslym Sula (26, unemployed), Arben Daut Thaqe (21, unemployed, previously convicted), and Kujtim Zemblaku (27, unemployed) were detained for participating in the toppling of the Enver Hoxha monument and throwing stones at law enforcement.
- On February 25, 1991, Arben Bektash Muhameti (26, unemployed), Albert Ali Sula (26, worker, twice convicted), Fatmir Avni Pula (25, worker), Edmond Nazarit Askushi (30, unemployed), Kastriot Spahiu (34, worker, once convicted), Sokol Mëhilli (26, unemployed), and Bujar Muçi (33, worker, once convicted) were detained. They were part of a “group of vandals” at the United Officers’ School who threw stones at law enforcement and uprooted trees to block traffic.
- On February 25, 1991, Adrian Besnik Meta (23, mechanic at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Depot) was detained for driving the “IFA” truck to which the Enver Hoxha monument was tied and transporting it to “Student City.”
KORÇA
- On February 25, 1991, Tomor Andrea Rudi (31) and Andon Hilmi Lipo (26, unemployed) were detained for participating in the toppling of the monument and striking law enforcement.
- On February 25, 1991, Besnik Agron Kosturi (21, unemployed) and Pandeli Vasil Ciko were detained for throwing stones at law enforcement.
- On February 25, 1991, 87 students of the Re-education School went on a hunger strike since the evening of Feb 24, in revolt against the removal of Enver Hoxha’s monument. They swore not to eat until the monument is re-installed.
DURRËSI
- On February 25, 1991, Osman Qazim Domi (24, worker), Besnik Musa Picari (46), and Qemal Ibrahim Shahi (27, driver) were detained for dragging the Enver Hoxha monument in Maminas.
HEAD OF THE DIRECTION GROUP:
NAZMI DOMI
SECRET OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR DATED 27 FEBRUARY 1991, REGARDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF A CALL BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO HONOR WITH 5 MINUTES OF SILENCE THE PERSONS KILLED BY THE POLICE IN TIRANA.
PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA SECRET
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS Copy No. 1
GENERAL BRANCH Tirana, 27.2.1991
OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION NO. 48
TIRANA
- On February 26, 1991, a leaflet was distributed in Tirana with the following content: “A call to honor the memory of the innocent victims: Ismail Çapali (22), Lulzim Sulollari (20), Artan Lenia (20), and Pëllumb Tahiri (31), who fell these days in Tirana. The Democratic Party, condemning this heinous crime, calls upon the Albanian people today, Feb 26, 1991, to turn off lights at 9:00 PM for five minutes and light candles or oil lamps. In silence, let us remember the fallen victims and pray that the establishment of democracy in our country claims no more victims. – Tirana Steering Committee.”
- On February 26, 1991, Sokol Petrit Alia (17, worker), Ahmet Shaban Jakupi (25, unemployed), and Eduart Kasem Isaku (20, soldier of unit 1155 Korçë) were detained for “indecent behavior” by throwing stones at the personnel of the “Enver Hoxha” United Officers’ School and law enforcement.
VLORA
- On February 26, 1991, near the residence of Afrim Jupe (Chairman of the Democratic Party Branch in Vlora), unknown persons placed an explosive device. The explosion destroyed the exterior door and several windows. There were no casualties./Memorie.al
HEAD OF THE DIRECTION GROUP:
BUJAR HAKRAMA
To be continued in the next issue
