From VELI HAKLAJ
Part Three
Memorie.al / Anti-communist activity in Albania in 1946 and the ways in which the State Security pursued opponents of the communist regime will be at the center of the dossier that begins today. Through archival documents, we will have a truthful presentation of the situation after the country’s liberation. The denunciation of the Mukje National Agreement (1–2 August 1943) by the leaders of the Albanian Communist Party, under the dictation of the Yugoslav tutors Miladin Popović and Dušan Mugoša, was accompanied by the intensification of partisan formations’ combat actions against non-communist political groupings and military formations, with a clear objective: seizing power and establishing their rule in Albania. This confrontation, which gradually took on the features of a civil war, became bloody and had manifold consequences in the second half of 1944.
Continued from the previous issue
Anti-communist Activity in the Korçë District
In the Korçë District, after the blows dealt to persons implicated in the Tirana trial, such as Kol Rodhja, Zhanke Gorguzi, etc., a decline in the activity of anti-communists was observed. The most suitable terrain for the regime’s opponents to operate in this district had been the sub-prefectures of Kolonjë and Leskovik. Since April 1946, several anti-communist circles had been struck and uncovered.
The Anti-communists of Korçë
The Korçë Lyceum Circle
For some time, several students had been carrying out anti-communist activities at the Korçë Lyceum, such as: Niko Kirka, Trajan Xheka, Albert Kashiroti, Peti Bishka, Spiro Tezha, Foqi Skëndi, Koço Topçe, Ilia Emanuil, Piro Xhumertiku, Jani Nano, Ropi Karamitro and Tika Karamitro, who were linked to Professor Nikolla Dajka from Shkodra. At school, they had tried to sabotage the work of BRASH [Communist Youth Union] and various enterprises. All the aforementioned elements came from anti-communist backgrounds, sons of “bourgeois classes”, and some of them had been part of the “Iron Guard”.
Their inspirer was Prof. Nikolla Dajka. They had tried to increase their ranks with disaffected elements. They also entered the Army, but in a very narrow circle. From this circle, the most active were Niko Kirka, Peti Bishka and Trajan Xheka, who were arrested in June 1946. Along with them, Prof. Nikoll Dajka and soldier Pjetër Zefi were also arrested. After these arrests, the circle members who remained at large broke off contact, but some of them joined another circle, as will be discussed below.
Since mid-1946, elements who propagated against the communist regime and who had been identified in activity were: Aleksandër Cica, Lefti Papajosifi, Kola Karamitro, Raqi Mole, Vangjo Xibi, who had a wide social circle behind them, consisting of: Nesti Zheke, Mikail Kosova, Lefti Kosti, Lisimak Faber, Naum Veriga, Musha Karbunara, Soto Veriga, Maqo Tezha, Foqi Skëndi, Ropi Karamitro, Tika Karamitro; the last four came from Niko Qirka’s circle.
According to the report, the members of this circle were persons who could hardly achieve any organization, because they proved reserved, but they had been identified as persons who could cause damage by talking up and down and spreading slogans. Initially, they were content with organizing meetings with each other and conducting conversations against the authorities. All of them were dissatisfied with the communist regime because some had lost the privileges they had in previous regimes, while others had been affected by various reforms. They had intensified their movements, especially recently, in connection with developments in the international arena.
The Anti-communist Women’s Circle
In the city of Korçë, there were also these women who carried out anti-communist activity: Varvara Ali Kuçi, Veko Hasan Xama, Fadile Hysni Qyteza, Pavlina Gani Peqini, Nurfo Sami Koprencka, Medo Fiço Banga, the wives of Kol Rodhja and Riza Shtylla, the daughters of Bexhet Urani and Reshat Spahiu, and the sister of Abedin Beli. All came from families hit by the communist regime. They had connections with each other and spoke a great deal against the authorities. Among these, the most active were identified as: Varvara Ali Kuçi, Medo Fiço Banga and the wife of Riza Shtylla. This circle was linked to Aleksandër Cica’s circle through Varvara Ali Kuçi.
The Social Democrat Circle
The Social Democrat circle was led by Dr. Lito; they spread various slogans and strongly propagated against the communist regime. This circle consisted of Dr. Lito, Dr. Shaban Pëllumbi, dentist Zia Starova, agronomist Spiro Konomi, veterinarian Noçka, and education technician Emin Çomo – all intellectuals. According to the report, they did not have anything organized, but it was only suspected that they might be linked to Myzafer Pipa’s circle in Shkodra, since shortly before, Drita Kosturi had been in Korçë and almost all the time she stayed there, she had stayed with Dr. Lito and his circle. Recently, the following persons had also joined this circle: Prof. Preng Kaçinari, Prof. Seit Duro, Dr. Thoma Plasa and medical student Sulo Mborja. This circle maintained contact with Aleksandër Cica’s circle through Lefti Papajosifi.
The Nationalist Circle
This circle was quite old and consisted of: Qazim Frashëri, Mehmet Baba, Qani Sulejmani, Faik Baba, Bexhet Frashëri, Surja Mborja, Xhevdet Muftiu, Ibrahim Mborja, Xhelal Shtylla, Seit Vila, Fadil Gari and Seit Maliqi. All of these were elements coming from wealthy strata. They did not show any visible activity, because they were quite shaken by the arrest of Petraq Katro and Marko Katro, arrests that added to the arrest of Kol Rodhja. The members of this circle hoped for a change in the situation only through foreign intervention, and thus they were always waiting, without making any move themselves.
The Vorio-Epirote Circle
The largest circle in this district was that of the Vorio-Epirotes. After the blow struck against them in 1945, there was no evidence that they had anything organized. Their activity consisted of meetings with each other in cafes and spreading slogans against the communist regime. During June 1946, Llambi N. and Gaqo S. had shown activity. The latter had also had meetings with UNRA representatives and had made many trips between Korçë and Tirana. Persons making up this circle were: Pando B., Llambi N., Kostaq P., Perikli Z., Taqi B., Kristaq K., Spiro M., Lipi Z., Dhori P., Manol S., Aqile F., Vasillaq C., Ndoni M., Gaqi S., Jorgji B. and Jani A.
Also joining this circle were the big merchants and those affected by profit tax. The elements of this circle had not shown much activity because they knew they were known as such elements, and therefore they were very cautious. Nevertheless, they had been identified by the State Security structures as the source of all the slogans that appeared regarding the Vorio-Epirus issue. Among the persons shown as most active during 1946, Arqile F., Pando M. and Vasil K. were arrested.
Other Arrests in Korçë
In connection with the recent development of the situation and as distributors of a series of slogans, the following were also arrested in Korçë in mid-1946: Aleksandër Cico, Kola Karamitro, Vangjo Xhibi, Foqo Skëndi, Panajot Cico, Goni Treska, Raqi Gjëmbi and Lefti Papajosifi. At the time the report was being compiled, their trials were ongoing. At the conclusion of the report for the Korçë part, it was concluded that in this district nothing organized was observed, only the appearance of various circles.
Leskovik Sub-prefecture
From the arrests made in the Gjirokastër district and from the depositions of the prosecuted persons, it had resulted that a Vorio-Epirote committee was operating in the Leskovik Sub-prefecture, which had links with the Syllogos of Ioannina. The committee had been set up by Thanas V., according to instructions received from the agent of the Ioannina Syllogos, Kristaq Z. The committee consisted of Thanas V., chairman, appointed by decree of the Syllogos, Nikollaq K., Andon T., Llazi K. and Mihal C., members. Couriers of this committee had been Loni V. and Sotir H., while Thanas V., Andon T., Loni B., Sotir H. and Kolaq K. were arrested.
Later, in May 1946, another anti-communist group was uncovered, led by Kadri Vrioni. They had formed a committee named “Albanian Union”. The head of this committee was Kadri Vrioni and members Fuat Maska Glina, Bido Muharrem Rusi and Reis Asllani. Behind them they also had a number of other persons, such as: Aliko Murat Lefteri, Thepni Dervish Hajdari, Sami Radani, Dervish Perati, etc. This committee had had links with anti-communists of Greek origin, through Alike M., and with Korçë through Thenai D., who was linked to lawyer Aqif L.
They had risen as a need the expansion of the organization with elements affected by the regime, had collected aid from the organization’s members and had sent these to Aqif L. in Korçë. They also had a stamp reading “Albanian Union Organization, Leskovik Branch”. Of these, the committee members were arrested, while the other members were advised through Front people.
Anti-communist Activity in the Kolonjë Sub-prefecture
In the Kolonjë Sub-prefecture as well, a group of opponents of the communist regime was uncovered in April 1946, which had started its activity as early as January 1946. This group was uncovered with the arrest of several persons who were sheltering fugitives. From their depositions, the activity of a committee named “Regional Committee of the Albanian Union” was documented, consisting of: Zalo Selenica, Baba Muharrem Krushova, Zenel Gostivishti, Tefik Selenica, Xhelal Xhezo and Isa Drishti, all elements with a nationalist past and exponents of the Balli Kombëtar.
They had held several meetings in which they raised the need to expand their ranks and to reinforce armed groups. They had set up a sub-committee in the Shën-Mërtir sector, with chairman Muharrem Feim Bozhani, commander Hajdar Gazi Orgocka and secretary Ystref Nazi Lencka. Meanwhile, they had established contacts with Kolonjë fugitives in Greece and with anti-communists of Greek origin. They had supplied Ditar Kurtesi’s group of fugitives with comrades, which would serve as a starting point for the creation of an armed force against the communist regime in Albania. Their slogans had caused Kolonjë anti-communists who had been linked to Balli Kombëtar to feel insecure, and consequently there had been many defections.
The Kolonjë committee maintained contact with Korçë through lawyer Ali Selenica and Fuat Kostreci. These were suspected of being members of the District Committee, but from their depositions no incriminating evidence had emerged in this regard. From the anti-communists implicated in this committee, the following were arrested: Baba Muharremi, Zalo Selenica, Tefik Selenica, Xhelal Xhezo, Zenel Gostivishti, Riza Krushnova, Isa Drishti, Lawyer Ali Selenica, Fuat Kostreci, Rafail Prodani, Ali Qyteza, Gazi Orgocka, Muharrem Roshanji, Qerim Alushi, Safet Sako, Nadire Selenica, Medi Nexhmiu, Avni Alishau, Sali Riza Psari, Ali Shaqiri, Muhamet Agolli, Fejzullah Muharremi, Qerim Alushi, Skënder Koçi, Mehmet Bido and Refat Ibrahimi.
In May 1946, another group was uncovered that was preparing to flee to Greece. The inspirers of this group were Nuri Hudënshti and Islam Zervaska, both Zogists. As early as the summer of 1945, when the II Regiment (formerly II Brigade of the II Division) was stationed in the village of Zervaskë in Pogradec, they had prepared a group to flee, but were stopped by measures taken at that time. They did not stop their activity, but continued working in a very conspiratorial manner, and when the II Regiment came to Korçë, the anti-communist persons got in touch with lawyer Ali Selenica and Sami Koprencka through Ferit Goblara, who was linked to Sergeant Bashkim Koleci. They had prepared a memorandum that they would deliver to the British in Greece, which was written by Ervehe Panariti. On the day they were to flee, they had planned to kill the Division commander.
A few days before they were to flee, they were denounced, and in connection with this action 37 people were arrested, among whom were these civilians: Sami Koprencka, Ferit Goblara, Ervehe Panariti, Xhelal Tabaku, Muntas Cenko, Emnor Koleci, Nuri Hudënishti, Islam Zervaska, Sulo Sako, Servet Jahja, Riza Bejko, Tomor Koleci, and these military personnel: Second Lieutenant Qamil Agaj; Sergeants Murat Braholli, Bashkim Koleci, Banush Laho, Sokol Malo, Goxho Dervishi; Corporals Resim Hajdani, Zarif Danglli; Second Lieutenant Islam Xhemali; Soldiers Bexhet Ajazi, Bexhet Voci, Eqrem Kallajxhiu, Bexhet Çerçizi, Skënder Ali Floqi, Zeqir Bahtjari, Mark Dedaj, Zylyftar Mukja, Ali Musa Braha, Abedin Nurka, Nevrus Kulla, Hasan Dedaj, Tosun Zeneli, Ded Çallaku and Kalem Derzho. Of these, the last three were released.
For a time, in the Dardhë sector, Kristo Shkrapi and Andon Dimoshi appeared on the scene. They had spread various slogans regarding Greek claims and were suspected of possibly being agents of Greece. Both were arrested, but from their depositions no such thing emerged. They were referred to trial as smugglers. In the Kolonjë Sub-prefecture, due to the State Security organs’ lack of knowledge for unmasking anti-communist persons, Haxhi Shabani, Nevrus Shabani and Safedin Haxhiu had fled.
Anti-communist Activity in the Pogradec Sub-prefecture
In Pogradec, after the arrest of Enver Hado and Llambi Basha, their circle had no further activity. Members of this circle who appeared to continue activity and who spoke against the authorities were: First Captain Hysen Shehu and Judge Sandër Kraja. Being persons who did not agree with the communist regime, they constantly propagated against the authorities. In the Pogradec Sub-prefecture, those showing anti-communist activity were: Zenel Qerimi, Qamil Nevruzi, Reshta Selenica, Hasan Qerimi, Myske Leshica, Vasil Bicka and Skënder Starova.
This circle had been seen moving, especially after recent developments in the international arena. Besides this circle, in Pogradec there also operated Tasi Shkurti’s circle, consisting of Tomor Starova, Lamçe Gjata, Kozma Gjata, Virgjir Ballamaçi and several others, who had also increased their activity in mid-1946? To this circle were also added members of Enver Hado’s circle (Hysen Shehu and Sandër Kraja). Of these, for the anti-communist activity shown, the following were arrested: Zenel Qerimi, Tasi Shkurti and Vasil Joka.
Anti-communist Activity in the Bilisht Sub-prefecture
Even Spiro Konomi’s group, which was in Bilisht, had ceased its anti-communist activity. Spiro was transferred to Korçë, while Judge Sali Qafmolla was dismissed and went to Elbasan. Meanwhile, Spiro Konomi had begun to activate with Dr. Lito’s circle in Korçë. In the Bilisht Sub-prefecture, during June 1946, there were indications that several persons coming from the ranks of the Balli Kombëtar had revived anti-communist activity.
These were: Selman Gjyli, Zini Kapshtica, Maliq Aliu, Maliq Kasemi, Kamber Idris Tresteniku, Murat Idris Tresteniku, Enver Seit Rakicka, Muhamet Rakicka, Ibrahim Bedo Progri, Nexhmi Kurilla, Pali Pallamari, Miço Toka and Gaqi Treni. According to information available to the State Security organs, this circle consisted of persons from various villages who met only occasionally with each other and had nothing organized.
This circle was considered a group of various individuals who distributed slogans and spoke ill of the communist regime. In the Bilisht Sub-prefecture, the Security structures had suspected that the Greek agency might have bases, and thus recently they had arrested: Ibrahim A., Hasan B., Adil I., Sali A., Jorgji K., Kiço S. and Haxhi R. But from the investigations carried out, all the arrested persons had been engaged in smuggling, and no facts resulted for implication in agency activity in favor of Greece. / Memorie.al
To be continued in the next issue
