Memorie.al/ On a day marked as this one, honoring the Catholic clergy massacred by the communist regime, based on my studies, I am making public the list you will find below. In determining the list, two criteria were taken into account: – Sentencing by final court decision to execution by firing squad.- Loss of life during interrogation or while serving the sentence. Political crimes are referred to within the meaning of Law no. 7514, dated 30.9.1991, as amended, “On the innocence, amnesty and rehabilitation of former convicts and political persecutees.” All the clergy below meet all the definitions of this law. I have noted the names that are beatified and those that have inexplicably been omitted from being part of this honor. In a later publication, I will publish the entire history of the persecution, including the names of the persecutors and their derivatives. Here is the list of clergy massacred by the communists.
1 – Father Lek Luli (1908-1944). Killed treacherously together with his companion by the communists of the “Perlat Rexhepi” battalion in Tropoja on July 16, 1944. After the killing, they robbed him of the money he was carrying. (Not on the official list).
2 – Dom Lazër Shantoja (1892-1945). Sentenced to death and executed in Tirana on March 5, 1945. Accused as a collaborator of Mustafa Kruja, an “insurgent element”, “reactionary”, collaborator of “Gjon Markagjoni, etc.”, a “fiery fascist”, etc.
3 – Dom Ndre Zadeja (1891-1945). Sentenced to death and shot on March 23, 1945 in Shkodër. Accused of harboring Lazër Shantoja.
4 – Dom Mark Gjani (1909-1945). Tortured and died in September 1945 in Mirdita.
5 – Father Leonard Tagaj (1910-1945). Killed without trial on February 4, 1945 in Traboin. (Not on the official list).
6 – Papa Pandi (1910-1945), Uniate priest, killed in Korçë in October 1945. (Not on the official list).
7 – Dom Alfons Tracki (1896-1946). German cleric. Sentenced to death and shot on July 25, 1946 in Shkodër, together with Kol Ashiku, Llesh Marash Vata (hanged), Nikoll Prek Deda. Accused as “war criminals, enemies of the people, saboteurs of people’s power and harborers”. The execution record has not been found.
8 – Dom Zef Marksen (1900-1946). German cleric. Sentenced to 2 years in prison, accused of “having a Nazi spirit”. Killed from behind on November 16, 1946, together with his patriots Rudolf Waber and Jozepf Kutzen in Kukës, allegedly because they were “escaping”.
9 – Father Bernardin Palaj (1894-1946). Died during interrogation on December 2, 1946 in Shkodër.
10 – Father Gjon Shllaku (1907-1946). Sentenced to death for participation in a “fascist”, “pro-fascist” and “terrorist” organization, despite no evidence being presented during the trial. Shot on March 4, 1946 in Shkodër.
11 – Father Giovanni Fausti (1899-1946). Italian cleric. Sentenced to death for participation in a “fascist”, “pro-fascist” and “terrorist” organization, despite no evidence being presented during the trial. Shot on March 4, 1946 in Shkodër.
12 – Father Daniel Dajani (1906-1946). Sentenced to death for participation in a “fascist”, “pro-fascist” and “terrorist” organization, despite no evidence being presented during the trial. Shot on March 4, 1946 in Shkodër.
13 – Deacon Mark Çuni (1920-1946). Founder of the “Albanian Union” of deacons. Sentenced to death and shot on March 4, 1946 in Shkodër.
14 – Father Anton Harapi (1888-1946). Sentenced to death as a “collaborationist” and shot on February 20, 1946 in Tirana, together with Lef Nosi and Maliq Bushati.
15 – Dom Nikoll Gazulli (1891-1946). Killed without trial on March 23, 1946 in Malësi e Madhe. (Not on the official list).
16 – Monsignor Nikoll Tusha (Nogaj) (1895-1946). Killed on September 14, 1946 in Montenegro. (Not on the official list).
17 – Father Bernard Llupi (1886-1946). Sentenced to death in Prizren in a trial together with 26 other persons. Accused by the Yugoslav OZNA of creating a patriotic organization. Shot on November 25, 1946 together with Marie Shllaku, Kolë Parubi and Gjergj Martini. (Not on the official list).
18 – Dom Luigj Pici (1907-1946). Testified in favor of Catholic clerics and was killed treacherously without trial in Koplik on November 10, 1946. (Not on the official list).
19 – Dom Luigj Prendushi (1896-1947). Accused as a “harborer of criminals” and sentenced to death. Executed in Shkodër on January 23, 1947, before the people. The other cleric, Ndoc Suma, was sentenced to 30 years of hard labor. Together with him, Ndrec Dodani and Pjetër Zef Gjoni were also sentenced.
20 – Dom Dedë Maçaj (1918-1947), (Dedë Gjon Gjonaj).*Being a soldier, he was accused of “spreading defeatist slogans, receiving messages from the Vatican, disapproving of the Communist Party of Albania”, etc. The court noted that he had “18 years of schooling for the priesthood.” Tried together with Rrok Gjura, who was sentenced to 1 year in prison. Shot on March 28, 1947 in Përmet.
21 – Father Serafin Koda (1893-1947). Tortured and died during interrogation on May 11, 1947 in Shkodër.
22 – Brother Gjon Pantalia (1887-1947). Arrested in October 1946. Severely tortured during interrogation and died in hospital on October 31, 1947.
23 – Monsignor Frano Gjuraj (1893-1946). Arrested and severely tortured. Without going to trial, he was released. He died from his severe wounds two months after release, on November 20, 1947. (Not on the official list).
24 – Father Çiprian Nika (1900-1948). “Shows hostility against people’s power and against communism” – writes a Sigurimi document. Accused of allegedly possessing weapons and propaganda documents in the Franciscan convent of Gjuhadol. Sentenced to death and executed in the first week of March 1948. The execution record has not been preserved. Sentenced together with Pal Doda (initially sentenced to death, but commuted to life imprisonment).
25 – Monsignor Frano Gjini (1886-1948). Tried together with these persons: Dom Nikoll Zef Deda, Father Mati Prenushi, Father Gjon Karma, Dom Tom Laca, former deputy Zef Kolë Haxhia, Dom Ndoc Sahatçija, Dom Nikoll Shelqeti, Father Mëhill Miraj, Zef Pllumi. Accused that they “worked for the coming of fascism during the war, worked for the fascistization of the country, became Gestapo agents, fought the partisans, carried out agitation and propaganda against people’s power”, etc., etc. Sentenced to death and shot on March 11, 1948 in Shkodër.
26 – Father Mati Prendushi (1887-1948). Sentenced to death and shot on March 11, 1948 in Shkodër. (Together with Frano Gjini and Mati Prenushi, Nikoll Zef Deda was also shot, who is missing from the official list).
27 – Dom Anton Muzaj (1921-1948). Accused as an “instigator of youth against the regime”. Severely tortured. Died from torture after interrogation, in 1948 in Shkodër.
28 – Dom Anton Zogaj (1900-1949). Tried together with Monsignor Viçens Prenushi and Dom Pal Gjini. Sentenced to death and executed in Durrës on March 9, 1948. Accused “of crimes against the people and the state, of connections with traitorous groups, the Christian Democratic organization, Anglo-American agents, escaped criminals and all reactionary Catholic clerics.”
29 – Dom Ejëll Deda (1917-1948). Accused of being a member of the “Albanian Union”, but was arrested in 1947. Sentenced to 10 years in prison. Died on May 12, 1948 in the prison hospital of Shkodër, after severe torture.
30 – Father Josif Papamihali (1912-1948). “Agent of Uniate propaganda and enemy of people’s power” – writes a Sigurimi document. Arrested in 1946. Accused of propagating against the so-called “people’s power”, of being in contact with UNRRA, etc., and sentenced to 5 years in prison and forced labor. Died in camp no. 1 in Maliq on October 26, 1948.
31 – Dom Dedë Plani (1889-1948). Arrested in Koplik. Severely tortured and they could not bring him to trial. Died in hospital on April 30, 1948.
32 – Dom Aleksandër Sirdani (1925-1948). Tortured and drowned alive in sewage waters in Koplik on July 31, 1948.
33 – Dom Pjetër Çuni (?-1948). Tortured brutally and drowned alive in sewage waters in Koplik on July 31, 1948.
34 – Monsignor Gjergj Volaj (1905-1948). Accused of participating in the Postriba uprising, but was arrested several months after it. Sentenced to death and executed on February 3, 1948, together with Cin Serreqi, Bilbil Hajni, Xhelal Hardolli and Dulo Kali. (Not on the official list).
35 – Dom Nikoll Laskaj (1898-1948). Accused of “harboring criminals” and sentenced to 2 years in prison and forced labor. Dies in Beden camp on May 15, 1948. His brothers were able to take his body and bury it in Mirdita. (Not on the official list).
36 – Dom Nikollë Shelqeti (1893-1948). Sentenced to 3 years in prison and forced labor. Died in 1948 in Beden camp in Kavajë. (Not on the official list).
37 – Father Nikoll Zef Deda (1890-1948). Sentenced to death and shot on March 11, 1948 in Shkodër. (Not on the official list).
38 – Dom Mark Bicaj (1911-1949) (Mark Kolë Ndoji), (1911-1948). Sentenced to 15 years in prison accused as a “spy of Jakomoni” and “for harboring criminals”. Dies in Shkodër prison in 1948. (Not on the official list).
39 – Monsignor Vinçenc Prenushi (1885-1949). Tried in 1947 together with Dom Anton Zogaj and Dom Pal Gjini. Accused “of crimes against the people and the state, of connections with traitorous groups, the Christian Democratic organization, Anglo-American agents, escaped criminals and all reactionary Catholic clerics.” Died on March 19, 1949, in Durrës prison.
40 – Dom Jak Bushati (1890-1949). Accused of harboring “criminals”. Tortured and died during interrogation on September 12, 1949 in Shkodër.
41 – Father Gaspër Suma (1897-1950). Arrested in 1948. Accused that during the war he “had put himself at the service of the fascists” by agitating to the detriment of the communists, while after the war he was part of “fascist organizations”, “social-democratic” ones, propagating against the Communist Party and communist power. Sentenced to 3 years in prison and forced labor. Died in Shkodër prison on April 14, 1950.
42 – Stigmatine novice Maria Tuci (1928-1950). Accused together with Gegë Ndue Gjini of “harboring criminals” and sentenced to 3 years in prison and forced labor, a decision commuted to 2 years’ probation. Arrested on September 5, 1950. Sentenced on September 13, 1950. Died from torture on October 24, 1950.
43 – Monsignor Jul Bonati (1874-1951). Accused of collaborating with the fascists during the war and with the Anglo-Americans and UNRRA after the war. Sentenced to 5 years in prison and forced labor. Dies insane on May 5, 1951.
44 – Father Pal Doda (1880-1951). Had been accused together with Çiprian Nika regarding the weapons in the church and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Dies in Shkodër prison on September 5, 1951. (Not on the official list).
45 – Dom Rrok Frisku (1892-1952). Data about him are scarce. He was arrested in 1947 in Mirdita, sentenced to 12 years in prison and forced labor. Dies in Burrel prison on April 30, 1952. (Not on the official list).
46 – Father Karl Serreqi (1911-1954). Accused of “harboring criminals” and initially sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. Died in Burrel prison on April 4, 1954.
47 – Father Klement Miraj (1882-1956). Accused of “maintaining connections with the Germans during the war”, of “having presented communism as a world danger”, etc. Arrested in 1952 and sentenced to 20 years in prison and forced labor. Dies in Burrel prison on November 21, 1956. (Not on the official list).
48 – Dom Ejell Kovaçi (1920-1958). Accused of “connections with foreign espionage”, with Pal Bib Mirakaj, “for terror”, etc. On November 13, 1958, sentenced to death and shot. The execution record has not been found. Sentenced together with citizens: Nik Pepa, Angjelina Kovaçi (his sister), Dedë Marashi and Gjok Kola. (Not on the official list).
49 – Dom Dedë Malaj (1920-1959). Accused of “treason against the homeland” (i.e., escape) and “agitation and propaganda”. Shot on the shore of Lake Shkodër on May 12, 1959. The execution record has not been found. Sentenced together with citizens: Father Konrad Gjolaj, Lazër Parubi, Gjon Parubi, Lulash Petali, Gjeto Budashaj and Lash Toni.
50 – Dom Ndoc Suma (1887-1962). Sentenced in 1946 to 30 years in prison accused of “harboring criminals”. Served 8 years in prison and was released from prison in 1954. Died in 1962, after much suffering. Sentenced together with other citizens: Luigj Prendushi (executed), Ndrec Dodani and Pjetër Zef Gjoni. (A case to be discussed, as he died 8 years after leaving prison).
51 – Father Rrok Gurashi (1894-1965). Arrested (several months after the event) in 1947 accused of participating in the Postriba Uprising. Sentenced to life imprisonment and forced labor. Released in 1949, but arrested again in 1956, accused as an “agent of Italian intelligence” and that he had “given information against the Party of Labor and people’s power”. Sentenced to death by firing squad, but the sentence was commuted by the Presidium of the People’s Assembly to life imprisonment. Dies January 1, 1965, in Burrel prison. (Not on the official list).
52 – Dom Zef Bici (1919-1968). Accused of espionage activity and agitation and propaganda. Sentenced together with clerics Mark Dushi, Mark Doshi, Frano Ilija, Gegë Luma and Alfonc Radovani and Kolë Marlocaj. Sentenced to death by firing squad and executed on May 10, 1968. The execution record has not been found. (Not on the official list).
53 – Mark Dushi (1920-1968), accused of espionage activity and agitation and propaganda. Sentenced together with clerics Zef Bici, Mark Doshi, Frano Ilija, Gegë Luma and Alfonc Radovani and Kolë Marlocaj. Sentenced to death by firing squad and executed on May 10, 1968. The execution record has not been found. (Not on the official list).
54 – Dom Marin Shkurti (1933-1969). Managed to escape to Yugoslavia with 8 other persons, but the Yugoslavs returned him to Albania. Sentenced to death and shot in March 1969.
55 – Dom Shtjefën Kurti (1898-1971). Sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against the state and for collaboration with Sami Qeribashi’s group. Released on March 2, 1963 from Burrel prison. Arrested a second time in 1970, in Gurza of Kruja. Accused of agitation and propaganda and sabotage. In reality, he was sentenced because he baptized a child. Shot on October 20, 1971 in Tirana. The execution record has not been found. The Sigurimi operative who prepared his file today receives a supplementary pension from the state.
56 – Dom Mikel Beltoja (Hil Gjoka) (1935-1974). Accused of “attempted treason against the homeland, agitation and propaganda, violent opposition to representatives of the regime, and fraud more than once.” By “fraud” the communists meant the baptisms performed by the deceased cleric. Sentenced to death and shot on February 10, 1974
57 – Dom Prekë Nikçi. Died during torture in the Kruja interrogation facility on March 15, 1974. No other data. (Not on the official list).
58 – Monsignor Ernest Çoba (1913-1980). Arrested in 1976 and a year later, sentenced to 25 years in prison. Accused of “harboring criminals” many years earlier, “of secret connections with the Vatican”, etc. Sentenced together with citizens: Lec Sahatçija, Kolë Toni and Zef Hardhija. Dies in Tirana prison hospital on January 7, 1980. (Not on the official list).
59 – Dom Mark Zef Doshi (Hasi) (1920-1981). Accused of espionage activity and agitation and propaganda. Sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to 25 years in prison. Dies in unit 309 Ballsh, October 1, 1981. (Not on the official list).
60 – Dom Anton Doçi (1915-1982). Sentenced in 1971 to 10 years in prison for agitation and propaganda. Arrested in the Spaç forced labor camp in 1977 and sentenced to another 10 years in prison for agitation and propaganda. Dies in unit 309 Ballsh, December 9, 1982. (Not on the official list).
61 – Dom Lec Sahatçija (1906-1986). Arrested in 1976 and a year later sentenced to 25 years in prison. Accused of “harboring criminals” many years earlier, “of secret connections with the Vatican”, etc. Sentenced together with citizens: Ernest Çoba, Kolë Toni and Zef Hardhija. Dies in Zejmen prison in Lezhë on April 4, 1986.
62 – Dom Kol Mark Gjinaj (1910-1987). In 1979 accused of “agitation and propaganda and undermining people’s power”. Dies on March 16, 1987, at the age of 77, in Zejmen prison.
63 – Dom Pjetër Gruda (Gjeloshi) (1922-1989). In 1979 sentenced to 25 years in prison for agitation and propaganda. Sentenced together with Anton Nika and David Luka. Dies paralyzed in unit 305 Sarandë, on January 13, 1989 at the age of 67.
Note: The official list proclaimed also includes persons who are not clerics. These are:
– Qerim Sadiku (shot 4.3.1946) aged 27, from Vuthaj of Guci, married with one child, former gendarmerie sergeant.
– Gjelosh Lulashi Bajraktari (shot 4.3.1946), aged 20, from Ndrecaj of Shosh, Dukagjin, former officer, soldier at the Military Hospital.
– Fran Miraka (shot 3.7.1946), aged 29, from Iballa of Puka, merchant.
If it were accepted as a criterion that the list include persons who were not clerics, then the list would be much longer.
The attached photo is from 1974. The public display of the personal belongings of Dom Mikel Beltoja, who was shot a few weeks later. / Memorie.al
