By Kastriot Dervishi
Memorie.al / In this part, I have briefly selected some biographical fragments of some of the commanders, commissars and directors that I have judged to be the most important, of the camps and prisons of the communist regime of Enver Hoxha and his successor, Ramiz Alia.. The list could be longer, but with the following ranking, a conclusion is reached on the quality of the framework that the Labor Party had set, to preserve the anti-communist and non-communist element, which constituted centuries of real knowledge and culture.
The chairmen and directors of the Directorate for the Implementation of Criminal Decisions
– Koço Kapo, from the Dukat of Vlora. Profession, teacher. High school education. In 1946-1949, the Branch of Executions of Decisions
– Aleks Gusho, born on 19.2.1918 in Pogradec. Profession, worker. Elementary School. From 11.10.1949-10.1.1951, in the branch of Camps and Prisons.
– Sabri Sevrani (Bejko), born on 11.1.1918 in Çepan of Skrapar. Profession, farmer. Education, 5th grade primary. From 2.10.1.1951-13.10.1952, in the Camps and Prisons branch.
– Bilo Bregu, born on 9.3.1922 in Kala, Çorovodë. Profession, farmer. Elementary School. From 5.12.1952 – 15.9.1953, in the Camps and Prisons branch.
– Çelo Arrëza, born on 22.2.1922 in Arrëz of Tepelena. Profession, farmer. Education, 2nd grade primary. From 15.9.1953 – 3.3.1954, he was the head of the Camps and Prisons branch.
– Shpend Dega, born on 13.4.1915 in Kolgecaj of Tropoja. Profession, teacher. High school education. From 3.3.1954-15.6.1955, in the Camps and Prisons branch.
– Qamil Mane (Islamaj), born on 3.3.1916 in Corrush. Education, 5th grade primary. From 15.6.1955-1.3.1966, as head of the Camps and Prisons Branch and from 1.3.1966-16.4.1967, head of the Criminal Decisions Enforcement Branch
– Burhan Beqari, born on 30.1.1916 in Vlora, occupation manual worker, 5th grade, from 16.4.1967-16.4.1972, in the Kampe and Burgje branch.
– Sulejman Manoku, born on 3.1.1924 in Revan, Kosturi. High school education. From 16.4.1972-31.1.1975, in the Camps and Prisons branch.
– Bektash Toro, born on 3.1.1924 in Gjirokastra. Education 3rd grade primary. From 1.4.1975-31.3.1977, in the Camps and Prisons branch.
– Mit’hat Baraj, born on 11.4.1929 in Kuç of Vlora. Education 3 unique class. From 1.4.1977-15.1.1980, in the Camps and Prisons branch.
– Kasem Kaçi, born on 16.6.1927 in Gjirokastra. Profession, electrician. From 16.1.1980-1.8.1982, director of Camps and Prisons
– Dhimitër Krisafi, born in Kakos of Gjirokastra. Education, 1st grade. Teaching profession. From 1.8.1982 – 15.3.1990, director of Camps and Prisons.
– Fadil Cani, from Vlora 15.3.1990-15.8.1990, director of Camps and Prisons.
– Edmond Caja, born on 26.4.1959 in Tirana, originally from Gusmari i Tepelena. Higher education. From 16.8.1990-16.5.1992, director of Camps and Prisons.
(On 1.8.1991, the name changed, being called; Prison Administration Directorate)
Commanders and Commissioners of Camps and Prisons, 1944-1991
Vangjel Rrëmbeci, from Rrëmbeci of Korça. Born on 7.9.1916. Minor trade profession. Until he took office, there were 5 primary classes. One of the most terrible commanders of camps and prisons. His career started as Enver Hoxha’s personal guard in 1945-1946. With this experience, he quickly turns to the professional aspect, against the “enemies of the party and the people”. In 1957-1959, commander of Burrel Prison, in 1953-1955, of Ward 313 in Tirana, in 1956-1963 of Camp 309 in Tërbuf e Laç and ended his career as director of Tirana Crafts, in 1963-1966.
– Xhipe Mersin Kapaj, from Vlora . Born on 11.11.1914. Occupation, farmer, education 5th grade. Career as commander, as follows: in 1953-1955, in Burrel Prison, in 1955-1956, in Camp no. 301, in 1956-1964, in Camp no. 305.
– Metush Isuf Rrapo, from Ballabani of Përmet. Born on 15.3.1912. Farmer profession. Until 1944 (so 32 years old), he had no education at all. After the war, he completes elementary school, university and is sent to the Soviet Union. Career as commander: in 1956-1962, of Burrel Prison, in 1953-1966, of Ward 313, Tirana.
– Kani Kalo Nako, from Vithkuqi of Korça. Born on 12.3.1912. Profession, mason. Education, 1st grade primary, he had served in the army. Career as commander: in 1957-1966, commander of Shkodra Prison, in 1966, of Camp no. 307 Rubik and in 1966-1967, of Burrell Prison.
– Nazar Demiraj, from Tërbaçi of Vlora. Born on 12.4.1921. Basic profession, shepherd. Education, 4th grade primary. Commander of Burrell Prison, 1967-1971.
– Hajri Leskaj, from Bolena, of, Vlora. Born on 5.7.1927. Basic occupation, manual worker. Education, 3rd grade primary. In 1971-1974, commander of Burrel Prison.
– Idajet Deda, from Velça of Vlora. Born on 8.4.1933. Profession, shepherd. Education, 4th grade primary. Commander of Burrel Prison, 1974-1981.
– Sotir Xharja, from Kavaja. Born on 12.5.1920. Occupation, manual worker. Education, 4th grade primary. Director of Shkodra Prison, on 9.5.1945 – 25.8.1946.
– Rifat Llukaçaj, from Podgorica. Born on 4.2.1910. Occupation, hatter. Education, 5th grade primary. Commander or director of Shkodra prisons, intermittently, in the period 1946-1953.
– Shyqyri Rrjolli, from Shkodra. Born on 3.2.1926. Basic occupation, tobacco worker. Education, 5th grade primary. Commander of Shkodra Prison, 1947-1952.
– Ilo Stojko, from Hoçishti of Korça. Born on 1.1.1921. Carpenter profession. Education 5th grade primary. Commander of Shkodra Prison, 1956-1957.
– Janaq Karapataqi, from Barçi of Korça. Born on 1.2.1917. Profession, shoemaker. Education until obtaining the function, 5 primary class. Director of Prison 313, in 1945.
– Beqir Liço Lalaj, from Kuçi of Vlora. Born on 6.4.1919. Profession, worker. Education, 4th grade primary. Career as commander: in 1947-1947 in Gjirokastra Prison, in 1949-1955, in Camp no. 1, in 1966, in Ward no. 315. Also, he was the director of the Handicraft Workshop Prison in Tirana, in the years 1958-1962.
– Tasi Marko, from Korca. Born on 5.9.1912. (Brother of Politburo member, “comrade” Rita Marko). Profession, baker. Education, 4th grade primary. One of the most notorious leaders of prison camps. In 1945-1947, director of two prisons in Korça. In May-November 1947, the director of the Maliqi Camp. In 1949-1950, commander of Prison no. 313, Tirana. In 1950, in the Maliqi and Peqin camps. In 1955, commander of Camp No. 4.
– Hysen Kapllani, from Fratari of Mallakastra. Born on 14.4.1917. Profession, farmer. Education, 5th grade primary. Career as commander: in 1953-1955, of Vlora Prison, in 1955-1956, of Prison no. 313, Tirana, in 1961-1967, of Camp no. 303.
– Teki Veleshnja, from Veleshnja e Skrapar. Born on 20.2.1917. Profession, farmer. No education, but “self-taught”. In 1956-1963, commander of Prison no. 313, Tirana.
– Azbi Lamçe, from Belishova e Mallakastra. Born on 20.2.1917. Occupation, manual worker. Education, agricultural secondary. He was imprisoned in 1948, before being put in charge of the prison camps, but was amnestied. Career as commander: in 1955-1956, in Camp no. 305 Shkodër, in 1956-1963, in Camp no. 301 Bulqize, in 1963-1966, in Camp no. 309 Tirana, Laç, Kruje; and in 1966-1967, in Prison 313 in Tirana. He was sentenced several times to prison for abuse of office.
– Banush Goxhaj, from Tërbaçi of Vlora. Born on 14.4.1916. Working profession. Education 4th grade primary. Career as commander: in 1966-1968, in Department 315 Lezhë and in 1968-1972, in Prison 313, in Tirana.
– Sami Kamberi, from Peladhia of Peshkopia. Born on 13.1.1928. Profession, farmer. Education, 1 unique class. In 1975-1979, commissioner of Department no. 309, Ballsh. In 1979-1982, commander of Department no. 313 Tirana.
– Imer Malaj, from Bolena of Kuci in Vlora. Born on 5.3.1927. Basic occupation, worker. Education 5th grade primary. In 1964-1966, commander of Department no. 305 Tirana. In 1967-1983, commissar of Prison 313, Tirana.
– Neim Musaraj, from Koculi of Vlora. Born on 5.1.1915. Basic occupation, farmer. Until 1948, he had not completed any kind of schooling. In 1945-1947, commander of Gjirokastra Prison. In 1949-1951, commander of Durrës Prison. In the years 1951-1953, commander in camps 1 and 4 and in the years 1953-1954, Camp No. 4 in Tirana. He leaves after the attempted escape of the prisoners in this camp (see above) and is brought to trial.
– Kamber Halilaj, from Çepani of Skrapar. Born on 1.5.1895. Profession, gendarme (1924-1943) and farmer. Education, 4th grade primary. Career as director of two prisons: in 1946-1947 in Berat, in 1947-1949, in Elbasan. Then commander in the years 1951-1953, in Camp no. 1 and in 1953-1955, in Camp no. 2.
– Muço Maska (Canaj), from Brataj of Vlora. Born on 15.3.1903. Profession, farmer. Education, 1 primary grade. In 1945-1947, director of Vlora Prison.
– Mustafa Gjini, from Gjirokastra. Born on 23.5.1913. Basic occupation, dairy farmer. Education, 5th grade primary. Commander of Vlora Prison, in the years 1961 – 1.6.1964.
– Medi Bilbil Hoxhaj, from Hadëraj of Vlorë. Born on 1.1.1917. Education, 4th grade primary. In 1964-1966, commander of Vlora Prison.
– Ismail Malaj (Erallaj), from Vreshtasi of Mallakastra. Born on 15.8.1919. Profession, farmer. Education, 4th grade primary. In 1947-1951, commander of Elbasan Prison and, in 1951-1952, of Berat Prison.
– Riza Veip Himo, from Picar of Gjirokastra. Born on 17.1.1901. Basic profession, shepherd. Illiterate. Director of, then commander of Gjirokastra Prison, in 1949-1953.
– Muharrem Beqiraj, from Bënça of Tepelena. Born on 4.1.1926. Profession, shepherd. Education, 4th grade, after the war, in his autobiography he writes that he is; “autodidact”. In 1970-1973, the command of Prison no. 307 Tepelena. In 1973-1977, commander of Department 303 Spaç and in 1977-1981, of that 325, Tirana.
– Yzeir Gjoka, from Gusmari of Tepelena. Born on 22.11.1918. Profession, shepherd. Illiterate. In 1953, commander of camps no. 6 and no. 7.
– Dervish Sanxhaku, from Vlusha of Skrapar. Born on 20.6.1920. Profession, farmer. Education, 4th grade primary. In 1950-1952, the command of Camp no. 5 (later no. 3, or Ward 305) and in 1952-1953, the command of the Craft Workshop Prison, Tirana.
– Sotir Vullkani, from Korça. Founder of PKSH. Born on 24.10.1902. Education, 4th grade primary. Profession, shoemaker. In 1953-1958, the command of the Handicraft Workshop Prison, Tirana. After the demobilization and attempted escape of his sons, (Robert Vullkanit in 1963), he was followed by the State Security until his death.
– Zija Çela, from Progonati. Born on 20.7.1925. Profession, shepherd. Education, 5th grade primary. In 1966-1967, the command of the Handicraft Workshop Prison, Tirana. In 1969-1978, referent for the implementation of criminal decisions, at the Directorate of Internal Affairs, Tirana.
– Çelo Arrëza, from Arrëza of Tepelena. Born on 22.2.1922. Profession, farmer. Education, 2nd grade primary. In 1953-1954, branch chief in the Camps and Prisons Branch. In 1954-1964, commander of the Guard of the Republic, from where he was removed, as he was building houses, according to the “blokmen” model. In 1964-1968, commander of Camp 305 Tirana, in 1968-1972, of Camp 303 Spaç and in 1972-1975, of Camp 309, Ballsh.
– Haxhi Gora, from Delvina. Born on 22.7.1923. Profession, worker. Education, 4th grade primary. Career as commander: in 1967-1968, in Department no. 303 Elbasan and Spaç, in 1968-1972, in Department 315 Belsh, in 1972-1973, in Department 303 Spaç and in 1973-1980, in Department 307 Valas.
– Niko Kolitari, from Hoçishti of Devolli. Born on 23.2.1926. Farmer profession. Education 4th grade primary. In 1967-1969 commissar of camp 303 Spaç and Elbasan.
– Shahin Skura, from the Lis i Madh of Mati. Born on 14.7.1932. Occupation, miner. Education, 4th grade primary. In 1969-1979, commissar of Camp 303 Spaç.
– Abaz Kushova, from Spathara of Skrapar. Born on 12.3.1919. Farmer profession. Education, 5th grade primary. In 1952-1954, commander of Camp No. 3 (Camp 305).
– Çize Hamitaj, from Vlora. Born on 15.3.1920. Profession, farmer. He had no education until 1951, when, at the age of 31, he finished 2nd grade. In 1967-1976, commander of Department 305 Borsh.
– Besnik Çomo, from Libohova. Born on 8.4.1928. Profession, farmer. Education, 4th grade primary. Career as commissar: in 1953-1955, in camp no. 1, in 1966 in camp 307 in Rubik, in 1955-1967, in camp 323, Fushë-Krujës.
– Bajram Korvarfaj, from Kuçi of Vlora. Born on 2.2.1913. Profession, worker. Education, a unique classroom. Commander of camp no. 4 (later 307) in the years 1956-1966, Tirana and Rubik.
– Mihal Marko, from Grykë Pisha, Novosela of Vlora. Born on 1.5.1928. No crafts and no school. In the years 1966-16.3.1967, commander of camp no. 307 Rubik.
– Njazi Banushi, from Vishocica of Devolli. Born on 14.5.1926. Profession, farmer. Education, 3rd grade primary. In 1952-1953, commissar in camps 6 and 4.
– Gani Vajka (Sulçe), from Sevaster of Vlora. Born on 20.1.1917. Profession, farmer. Education, 1 unique class. In 1971-1972, commander of camp no. 309 Vlora.
– Xhevdet Sakaj, from Krahësi of Tepelena. Born on 10.1.1942. Vocational education, 2 years for dairyman. Then, the Border course. In 1979-1983, commander of Camp 309 Ballsh. Memorie.al
Taken from the book, ‘Prisons and camps of Communist Albania’ – Kastriot Dervishi, (pages 85-90)
