By Dashnor Kaloçi
Part Two
Memorie.al / It was the morning of September 1, 1976, when the workers of the Fishing Enterprise who were the first to arrive at their workplace located on the shore of Lake Shkodra near the village of Shiroka, found that surprisingly the guard of the enterprise of that sector was missing, as well as the office staff, something that had never happened before?! This is because, among other things, there was also the pier where all the fishing boats were anchored, which, tied with chains and locked with a key, were considered objects of special importance and were under the control and double guard, both by the fishing enterprise and by the Border Post located in the village of Zogaj, where the state border with Montenegro, at that time part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia of Marshal Tito, was also located.
Although a torrential and stormy rain continued to fall, which had begun since midnight, the fishermen began to look for the guard and the foreman of their company, calling them by name, but in vain, because no one answered? But after a while, they were stunned and terrified, when just a few meters away from the fish warehouse, they saw a corpse lying on the ground with no signs of life…! It was the 60-year-old guard, Fadil Rizaj, who had been serving in that position for several years. No one dared to touch him with their hands, because not only was he bloody and with visible marks on his head and body, but his hands were tied with rope from behind his body and also his respiratory organs, tied with a cloth behind his head…! Which clearly meant that he had been killed…?
After that scene of horror, some of the fishermen ran to the offices to call the heads of their company and the Internal Affairs Branch as well, but the telephone line was cut and the connection to Shkodra could not be established…! Meanwhile, from other checks to find the company’s wreck, it was also found that one of the boats (fishing boats) was missing from the pier on the lake shore, precisely the one known as; “Health Boat”, and the safe that held their keys, was broken with a crowbar!
Meanwhile, the alarm was given and there were some of the officers and main chiefs of the Shkodra Internal Affairs Branch, who immediately determined that not only were they dealing with a serious crime, but also with an escape by boat across the lake, which, among other things, would also aggravate their position before their superiors at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tirana. Meanwhile, the news got out and the investigative group with the relevant experts immediately started working to uncover the crime that had occurred and to unravel the whole event, which a few days later would shock not only the city and district of Shkodra, but also Tivar, Titograd and Ulcinj in Montenegro!
But what had really happened, who and why had killed the fishing guard Fadil Rizaja? How many people had escaped and what had happened at midnight on August 31, as September 1, 1976 dawned, while a heavy rain fell with thunder and lightning, which was said to have never been remembered, even by the oldest residents of those parts? Why were several dead bodies found on the shore of the lake on the Yugoslav side and another corpse on our side of the border, near the border post in the village of Zogaj? How did the main author of that escape, Hamit Arif Myrto, manage to swim to the part of the lake that belonged to the border of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, on that dark night with rain, waves and storm?
Who was Hamit Arif Myrto and what did he initially tell the residents of that area, when they saw him completely naked in the alleys of their village, as well as the competent Yugoslav authorities, regarding the reasons for his escape? What did the UDB authorities ask Hamit during the investigation process in several separate offices in Tivar, Titograd and Ulcinj, where they sent him, frequently changing his place, his “cellmates” and the investigators who interrogated him? What did he testify to when they asked him about the military bases and units, the missile unit and other installations that were located at that time in the Shkodra district, as well as the tracts that were dropped in that city those days, against the Party of Labor and Enver Hoxha?
What did Hamit tell the UDB bodies, regarding his brother-in-law, a minister in the government headed by Mehmet Shehu, and also one of the closest people to the dictator Enver Hoxha, who remained in that position until the collapse of the communist regime? Who was the “photographer” from Shkodra who had escaped to Yugoslavia a few years ago and why were all the investigators asking Hamit about that person? Why did the Yugoslav UDB authorities decide to return Hamit Myrto to Albania, handing him over to the Albanian State Security bodies, even though they were convinced that he had not been sent on a secret mission?
What did Hamit testify during the investigative process, such as the reasons that had forced him to undertake that dangerous adventure, and also everything he had told the UDB? What did Hamit write in the letter addressed to Enver Hoxha to the Minister of Defense Beqir Balluku and how was it possible to find that letter in his house in Shkodra? What did Hamit’s family members, relatives, neighbors, work colleagues, the brigadier, the director of the Fishing Enterprise, the chairman of the People’s Council of the “Partizani” Neighborhood where he lived, and other people who were called to testify against him, testify during the investigation process, in the fall of 1976?
Why was the trial of Hamit Myrtos held in the village of Shiroka, how much was he convicted by the Shkodra District Court, the Criminal College of the Supreme Court and why did the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, leave their decisions in force, for his death sentence (by hanging) even after that terrible tragedy that had happened to him; where he lost his entire family? What were the last words that Hamit said before the firing squad and why, to this day, has his grave not been found yet?!
Regarding these and other events from that most serious and tragic that the Shkodra region experienced in those years and Montenegro as well, we are informed by the archival documents of the voluminous relevant file that Memorie.al has secured, which we are publishing in several issues (with the relevant facsimiles and photos), with the sole purpose of shedding light and making known the monstrous crimes that occurred at that time, where Albanians, in order to escape the communist hell, were forced to undertake the most dangerous adventures towards the state border, just like the main character of this event, Hamit Arif Myrtja!
Continued from the previous issue
MINUTE REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATOR OF THE SHKODRA INTERNAL AFFAIRS BRANCH, JAKE TEFIKU, ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE CHILD’S BODY FOUND BY THE ALBANIAN BORDER GUARDS IN LAKE SHKODRA
MINUTES
(For recognition)
Today, on 4.9.1976, in the city of Shkodra, I, Jake Tefiku, with investigative duty at the Shkodra Internal Affairs Branch, presented for identification a corpse of a female child, citizen Xhemal Shaban Seferi, residing in the “Partizani” neighborhood, “Lek Dukagjini” Street no. 113, Shkodra. Citizen Shaban Seferi, after carefully examining the naked corpse, declared that: “The corpse presented to me for identification, I know, is that of Valbona Hamit Myrto, aged 8, I know her very well, because I have my niece, that is, my daughter’s daughter, Hasije”.
He also stated that; not only for the face and body that I know her very well, but at the same time he stated that when she was alive, she wore a sky-blue wool sweater, a red wool sweatshirt, brown sandals, white and short socks, white underwear. He also stated that Valbona had a round face, brown hair like short blondes, a developed body that if you looked at her when she was alive, and today that she is dead, would give the impression that she was 10-12 years old! “Finally, I stated that the body is that of Valbona Hamit Myrtja and I know this well. In addition to me, my housemates and neighbors also know this. She was not mistaken and I am very sure”.
I read and signed the minutes.
The witness Investigator
Xhemal Seferi Jake Tefiku
DOCUMENT DRAWN UP BY THE DEPUTY HEAD OF THE SHKODRA INTERNAL BRANCH NDUE GJINI, SENT TO THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE FOR THE DEREGISTER OF THE 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL OF HAMIT MYRTOS, WHO WAS FOUND DROWNED IN LAKE SHKODRA AND THE PERMISSION TO TAKE HER BODY FROM THE MORTURE OF HER GRANDFATHER XHEMAL SEFERI
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS Shkodër, 5.9.1976
INTERNAL AFFAIRS SIDE
(Investigation Sector)
No. 340
CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE
Shkoder
We order the deregistration from the founders of the minor girl, Valbona Hamit Myrto, daughter of Hamit and Hasija, aged 8, born and residing in the “Partizani” neighborhood, Tregu i Ri Street, no. 113 Shkodra, on the grounds that on 4.9.1976, in the evening hours, she was found drowned in Lake Shkodra.
DEPUTY/CHIEF OF THE INTERNAL DEPARTMENT
Ndue Gjini CIVIL HOSPITAL
Shkoder
The body of the girl Valbona Hamit Myrto, 8 and a half years old, who drowned in Lake Shkodra, which is located in the morgue near that hospital, should be handed over to the head of the family, Xhemal Seferaj, residing in the “Partizani” neighborhood, who is his niece.
Along with the body, the personal belongings of the body, which she was wearing, should also be handed over.
DEPUTY/CHIEF OF THE INTERNAL DEPARTMENT
Ndue Gjini
THE REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION THAT HAMIT MYRTJA HAD MADE TO THE PEOPLE’S COUNCIL OF THE CITY, SOME YEARS BEFORE HIS ESCAPE
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Shkoder, on 29.8.1974
PEOPLE’S COUNCIL OF THE CITY
Shkoder
No. 138/1 Prot.
CITIZEN HAMIT ARIF MYRTJA
Resident of the “PARTISAN” Neighborhood
Here
The Presidency of the City People’s Council has considered your request for housing. You should contact your employment center, and according to the conditions, possibilities and order, they will fulfill your housing requests.
TO THE PEOPLE’S COUNCIL OF THE CITY
HEAD
Hilmi Nurja
DOCUMENT OF THE LOCAL BORDER COMMISSION OF THE YUGOSLAV SIDE, SENT TO THE ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES, WITH THE NOTIFICATION OF THE FINDING OF THE DEAD BODIES OF THE WOMAN AND THREE CHILDREN OF HAMIT MYRTJE, WHO FUGITED TO YUGOSLAVIA FROM LAKE SHKODRA
Yugoslav side of the local mixed commission for sector No. 1
Letter No. 2
4.9.1976
Albanian side of the local mixed commission for sector No. 1
On the night between August 31 and September 1, 1976, the citizen of the People’s Republic of Albania, Hamit Myrtja, father Arif, and mother Lutfije, surnamed Kalimani, born on June 13, 1944 in the village of Shiroka, Shkodra district, residing in Shkodra, “Partizani” street No. 113, illegally crossed the Albanian-Yugoslav border line, on Lake Shkodra near the village of Cklla in Yugoslav territory.
The above-mentioned, took with him his family and specifically, his wife Hasia, aged 26, his daughter Valbona, aged 8, and his sons Zamir, aged 5, and Petrit, aged 3, who drowned in Yugoslav territorial waters, due to the flooding of the boat, due to very bad weather. The bodies of Hasije’s wife and the two sons have been found, while the body of the girl has not yet been found. Against Hamit Myrtos, the procedure is being followed by the competent Yugoslav bodies.
For the Yugoslav side of the local mixed commission for sector No. 1
Head
Miodrag Kovaçeviç d.v.
Translated by Xheladin Seknaj
MINUTE MINUTE OF THE ORGANS OF THE YUGOSLAV MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS, ON THE HANDOVER OF HAMIT ARIF MYRTJA TO THE ALBANIAN SIDE, AT THE BORDER POINT OF HANI I HOTIT
MINUTE MINUTE
On the surrender of Hamit Myrtos to the authorities of the Republic of Albania on 7.10.1976 at the Han i Hotit – Bozhaj border crossing point.
PRESENT
From the Yugoslav side From the Albanian side
Bogoljub Rakoçeviç Sejdin Duçkollari
On October 7, 1976, at 9:00 a.m., the Yugoslav S.F.R. bodies handed over to the Albanian bodies Hamit Myrtja, a citizen of the Republic of Albania by father Arif, and mother Lutfije Kalimani, born on June 13, 1944 in the village of Shiroka, Shkodra district. At this moment, a sealed women’s handbag was handed over to the Albanian side.
From the Yugoslav side From the Albanian side
Signatures Signatures
Bozhaj – Hani i Hotit
7.10.1976
Kio nr. 225/76
The judicial investigator of the district court in Titograd, with a criminal case against Hamit Myrtja from Shkodra, of the People’s Republic of Albania, due to the criminal acts of murder, prescribed by articles 135, page 1 of the Criminal Code, based on the request of the District Court in Titograd, case number No. 326/76 dated 21.9.1976, decisively based on article 140, page 1, of the Criminal Code, brought:
Decision
To continue the investigation against Hamit Myrtja, father Arif, and mother Lutfije, born on 13.6.1944 in Shiroka, near Shkodra, with Albanian citizenship, fishing worker, married, father of three children, completed 4 primary grades, completed his military service in 1966, in Lushnje, R.P. of Albania. For reasons of suspicion that on the night of August 31, 1976, at around 11:00 PM in Shkodra, Fadil Brezie was killed, who stole the rifle from him and shot the victim several times in the head with it, then cut off his head with a knife, and then hid the body. If this is a criminal act of murder, it is provided for by article 135 page 1 of the Criminal Code. Against this decision, the defendant may appeal within 3 days from the date of the decision to the Judicial Council of the Titograd District.
ON THIS MOTIVATION
The Titograd District Court decided in support of the request to pursue investigations against Hamit Myrtos, for suspicious reasons, for having committed the above criminal acts. The accused admitted that in Shkodra at the so-called Fishing Enterprise, he shot Fadil Brezies twice in the brain with the butt of a rifle, but not with the intention of taking his life, but to incapacitate him in order to give him and his family the opportunity to escape to Yugoslavia. The main suspicion is that the accused committed the above crime that emerges from the criminal statement of the RSUP Titograd and other writings, for which there are conditions for investigations to be pursued against him. From the above and based on Article 148, page 1 Z.K.P. was resolved as in words.
TITOGRAD DISTRICT COURT
Date 21.9.1976
FOREIGN INVESTIGATOR
Radojko Gjuriçanin d.v.
Translated by Xheladin Seknaj
P.P. no 5689/76 – 4
The Municipal Judge (Municipality) for the violation in Titograd by resolving the violation of the action against Hamit Myrto from Shkodra, due to the violation of Article 7 page 1 of the Law on Crossing the State Border, based on Articles 92,199 and 201 of the Law on the Violation of the State Border, page SRCG, no. 3/74 dated 6.9.1974 has brought:
VERDICT
The guilty Hamit Myrto, son of Arif and Lutfija, born in 1944 in Shiroka, Shkodra, Albanian citizen, of poor condition, without permanent residence.
He is guilty
That on August 31, 1976, he crossed the Albanian-Yugoslav border, at the village of Cklla on Lake Shkodra, outside the designated place for crossing. Having committed this violation pursuant to Article 7, page 1, of the Law on Crossing the State Border and Movement on the Border Belt and pursuant to Article 69, page 1, point 1, of the same Law.
Sentenced
With a prison sentence that will last 15 days. Pursuant to Article 264 of the Ordinances page 1, point 1, of the Law on Violations, the guilty party shall be immediately sent to the place of serving the sentence. Pursuant to Article 126 of the Law on Violations, the convicted party shall be released from the obligation to pay compensation in full for the violation caused.
On this motivation
The Internal Affairs Section of the Municipality of Tivat with No. 2684 dated 3.9.1976 has filed a request against the guilty party to follow the violation procedure, due to the violation noted in this decision. Acting on the request, the accused, with the participation of the translator Jako Danilovic, from Titograd, was questioned based on the circumstances and the request. From his deposition, the perpetrator admitted the violation and stated that on August 31, 1976, at around 23.45, with his wife and three children, he set off by boat from Shiroka e Shkodra with the aim of escaping to Yugoslavia, and during the journey on Lake Shkodra, the boat on which they were located, sank due to bad weather.
His wife and three children died, while he managed to get to land in the village of Cklla in the municipality of Tivar, and through the villagers he was handed over to the Internal Affairs Section of Tivar. In order to impose the sentence, all the circumstances that influenced the degree of punishment, as well as the circumstances that forced him to commit the violation, were assessed. The defendant’s admission, the defendant’s material circumstances and the social danger of the actions committed. This judge believes that by imposing a sentence the purpose of the sentence will be achieved, as well as the degree of punishment based on the degree of responsibility of the defendant.
This judge also found that the possibility of suspicion is given out of fear in order for the defendant to escape the sentence given since he does not have any document on his identity, has no permanent residence, is a foreign citizen, and based on article 264 page 1 point 1 on the violation, decided that the defendant should be exempted from the sentence given. The defendant, with his depositions, stated that he has no means of livelihood and for this reason this judge, based on article 126 of the law on the violation, has issued a decision to be exempted from the expenses incurred in the event of the action caused. Memorie.al
Municipal Judge for the violation
In Titograd on 6.9.1976
The judge for the violation Secretary
Nikolla Tomiç Makbule Shahoviç
Continues next issue
