From Tefta Cami
Part Three
Memorie.al / Haxhi Lleshi, former Minister of Internal Affairs in the period 1944–1946 and Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania from 1954 to 1982, starting from the war period until he was alive – i.e., for more than half a century – constantly attacked and denigrated Ahmet Cami, my Cami tribe, and me personally, in every possible way and using whatever means he had.
After the change of system, i.e., after the 1990s, I did not intend to deal with Haxhiu, because the problem now belonged to the past. But he left many things in writing, and I was obliged to produce a publication with the necessary explanations, which I have deposited in the Library of the Central State Archive in Tirana. I did not wish to publish it, for the sake of his children, so that they would not bear their father’s burden, but I was forced to respond with this text after the publication of an archival document in the media (initially in Memorie.al, and then in Panorama, Gazeta Shqiptare, as well as in many other newspapers and portals), in which the conversation between Haxhi Lleshi and the well‑known historian Prof. Kristo Frashëri, which took place on 16 July 1982, was made public.
This is because, in a large part of that conversation, Haxhi Lleshi attacked, assaulted, denigrated, and slandered my father, Ahmet Cami (‘Martyr of the Fatherland’), the Cami tribe, and me personally. Likewise, in that conversation, Haxhi Lleshi manipulated and falsified not only the history and the past of the Lleshi tribe, his family, and his personal history, but also the entire historical record of the National Anti‑Fascist Liberation War of the Dibër District, and even beyond, of Northern Albania.
Based on these facts, I considered it reasonable, in this text, to present – with facts, arguments, and archival documents – the history of the Cami tribe, my father Ahmet Cami and our family, and myself as well, always and only on that basis, and in response to Haxhi Lleshi’s accusations and to the distortions and falsifications that he has made for years against the Cami tribe. Let the reader judge for them.
Continued from the previous issue
How and why was Halit Lleshi, Haxhi Lleshi’s father, killed?!
– Documents from the Central State Archive in Tirana, shedding light on the activity and the truth about the killing of Halit Lleshi in 1923 –
Peshkopia
19-IX-923 No. 329/I Res. | To the Secret Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tirana
We are reliably informed that the three brothers of Halid Lleshi have crossed the border during the night and have gone to Dibër, but their families remain in their homes. It is said that some others from among Lleshi’s companions, such as Esat Garana and others, also intend to leave. Their purpose has not been ascertained so far.
Delivered and deciphered on 20-IX-923, at 10:30 a.m.
Deputy Prefect
- Matraxhiu
(Central State Archive – Fund M.P.B., No. 152, D.51, V. 923, Fl. 7)
Dibra
28-VI-‘923 No. 156/I Res. Urgent | To the Secret Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tirana
In reply to telegram No. 925 Res., dated 23-VII-923.
The judicial documents of this case are with the Prosecutor of Tirana, who has the competence to resolve this trial.
The local judge, having recently arrived, is completely unfamiliar with this case and knows nothing about the course of the investigations pertaining to it. The only ones who know the case well are the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, which holds the judicial documents, and Mr. Fehmi Haxhmurani, the former local judge, now in Tirana.
As far as we know, the brother of Halid Lleshi will not be convicted in the trial, because the case of the killings of civilians in Peshkopia has been charged to Halid Lleshi’s companions, since the latter and Halid’s brother had neither a rifle nor a revolver. The civilians in question were killed mostly by Halid’s brother, using Halid’s rifle and revolver, but since he did not have his own weapon, nothing was proven in court.
Delivered and deciphered on 28-VII-923, at 5:30 p.m.
Prefect
Neki Starova
(Central State Archive – Fund M.P.B., No. 152, D.50, V. 1923, Fl. 77)
To the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tirana
Continuation of telegram 42/1 Res. dated 17-II-923
We have the honour to inform you that Halid Lleshi has returned from Belgrade to Dibër.
Delivered and deciphered on 5-III-923, at 10:30 a.m.
Prefect
Neki Starova
(Central State Archive – Fund M.P.B. No. 152, D. 16, V. 1923, Fl.1)
Peshkopia
9-III-‘923 No. 42/III, Res. | To the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tirana
Today the Serbian Brigade in Dibër e Madhe called me on the telephone and told me that, based on an order it had allegedly received from its command, Halid Lleshi is to set out today with 70 armed companions to come here to Peshkopia, and from here to Tirana, and asked me whether I had also received any such order or not.
I told him that unarmed he is free to come, otherwise not. He therefore asked that I take up the matter with Your Excellency. Halid Lleshi is waiting in Dibër e Madhe until the order of Your Excellency arrives.
His coming armed is unreasonable and would make the worst impression here in Dibër; therefore I have forbidden it and will not allow him to come armed. In any case, we await the order.
Delivered and deciphered on 10-III-923, at 10:20 a.m.
Prefect
Neki Starova
(Central State Archive – Fund M.P.B. No. 152, D. 16, V. 1923, Fl.2)
13-II-23 – 28-XII-23
File title: “Notices and correspondence exchanged between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, prefectures, etc., regarding plots and killings of several political personalities and other persons. Haxhi Jusuf Kazazi, Adem Gjinishi, Elez Jusufi, Halit Lleshi, etc.”
Fl. 10 | Dibra 17-VI-923 No. 215/I Res. | To the Secret Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tirana
We are informed that the Commander of the 12th Serbian Regiment in Dibër is said to be extremely interested in understanding the manner of the killing of Halid Lleshi.
Delivered and deciphered on 18-VI-923, at 9:15 a.m.
Prefect
Neki Starova
Fl. 13
Ministero des Affaires Étrangères | Tirana, 20 June 1923
- 1-10-1954 Res.
The Chargé d’Affaires of Serbia, on behalf of his government, told me that the Albanian government would kindly allow Halid Lleshi’s brother to go freely to Dibër together with his companions, so that they may live in that city, since here in Albania their life is not secure.
Please inform us as soon as possible of the reply to be given to the Serbian Legation, and also provide us with details regarding the killing of Halid Lleshi.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Pandeli Evangjeli
(Central State Archive – Fund M.P.B. No. 152, D. 19, V. 1923, 48 sheets)
To the Secret Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
28-VI-23 No. 847 | Tirana, 22-VI-1923
THE ALBANIAN STATE
Ministry of Internal Affairs
To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Secret Office, Tirana No. 847 Res.
We have the honour to reply to your communication No. 1954 Res., dated 20-VI-923.
As that Ministry also knows, Halid Lleshi, during the times of unrest, behaved very badly toward the people of Dibër and in this way aroused and provoked the enmity and hatred of many inhabitants of that district.
According to official information, it is understood that Halid Lleshi, against the so‑called Destan Mjeshtri from Çereneci and Hysni Sinani from Buçeva, during the disturbances burned their houses, looted their possessions and grain, and interned their children; and for this reason, the aforementioned persons, recently during the month of Ramadan, asked Halid Lleshi to return the plundered grain. He is said to have replied that he would give it back after the Bayram holiday. After Bayram, on 1-VI-923 at 1 p.m., when they met in Peshkopia, following harsh and heated words, they shot each other with revolvers.
Upon hearing the gunfire, the gendarmerie patrol at the government office, composed of six gendarmes and commanded by the Deputy District Commander, Lieutenant Mr. Harilla Koleja, hurried to the scene to restore calm.
At the scene of the incident, Halid Lleshi’s brother, Aqif Mustafaj, together with his companions Mersin Rexhepi from Zogaj, Osman Tahiri and Esat Islami from Gjorica e Poshtme, Hysejn Jashari and Jashar Ismaili from Bllaca, Zejnel Reshiti from Kovashica, and Shaban Osmani from Stushaj, used weapons and killed Kalo Jusuf Lleshi, the village elder of Reth, and wounded Vebi Ismaili from Peshkopia (who died these days), Murat Hasan from Vakuf, and Zejnel Cerjani from Cerjani. They were arrested and imprisoned by the judiciary, and legal investigations continue against them.
The government, being confident in the influence of its power, which prevails in all parts of Albania, had not foreseen the occurrence of such a tragedy. Only after a request made by Halid Lleshi did it grants him permission, together with ten companions, to carry long weapons, and especially with reserve, it had instructed that his life be placed under the care of the gendarmerie. However, as that Ministry knows, both throughout the world and in Albania, such crimes motivated by personal hatreds often occur.
Given that Peshkopia is a small town and not a city provided with gendarmerie and police stations, and since the perpetrators were not seen carrying long weapons that would draw the attention or suspicion of the local authorities, they found free rein to carry out their purpose. Moreover, there were no warning signs regarding this crime. Naturally, the government did not take preventive measures – such measures are taken only when the authorities have been notified or when there is some sign that invites suspicion.
Therefore, this Ministry deems it superfluous to dwell further on this matter; it merely has the honour to inform you that the other brothers of Halid Lleshi remain in their homes, calm and undisturbed by anyone, and declares that for now they shall live in full security and peace, like all other Albanian subjects.
In conclusion, we add that the other brother of Halid Lleshi who is in prison has been fully granted his rights according to the law by the judiciary./Memorie.al
Tirana, 14 January 2023
(Central State Archive – Fund M.P.B. No. 152, D. 19, V. 1923, Fl.16)
