“Imer Spahiu from Kolesjan, in 1948, was caught fleeing to Yugoslavia, his brother, Neziri, in France, with hostile activity, his nephew Ramadani and his cousin, Lutfiu…”/ Decision of the Internment-Deportation Commission, 1967

By Dashnor Kaloçi

Part twelve

Memorie.al / From 1944, when it came to power, until the end of 1990, the communist regime of dictator Enver Hoxha and his successor Ramiz Alia – based on the theory and “teachings of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin” as well as the ideology they devised and applied across nearly half the world – continuously waged class warfare, executing, imprisoning, or interning their political opponents. In this context, starting from December 1944, when Enver Hoxha and the government he headed descended from the mountains and took power, alongside executions with and without trial, the internment of tens and hundreds of families began. These were families they considered “overthrown classes” or accused of being “enemies of the people” – mainly wealthy or middle-class families, former officials of King Zog’s Monarchy, who during the occupation period had joined or supported the nationalist organizations “Balli Kombëtar” or “Legaliteti.”

This punitive “practice” of internment and deportation would also be applied to hundreds upon hundreds of communists (ranging from the simplest members to former members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the APL), deputies, ministers, military officers, and high-ranking officials, along with their families, whom Enver Hoxha and the communist regime in power would declare “traitors, revisionists, enemies of the people,” etc. From 1944 until 1949, decisions for internment and deportation were made by the “Commission for Deportations and Confiscation of Assets,” which operated under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In the following years, this commission changed its name several times until 1954, when it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Prime Ministry and named the “Internment-Deportation Commission,” which functioned regularly until 1990.

From 1954 until 1974, the chairman of that commission was Beqir Balluku, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the APL, who held the position of Minister of People’s Defense and simultaneously that of Deputy Prime Minister in the government headed by Mehmet Shehu. The vice-chairman of the commission was the Minister of Internal Affairs, Kadri Hazbiu, while the members included the Attorney General Dhori Panariti and the Chairman of the Supreme Court, Aranit Çela. (After the sentencing of Beqir Balluku in 1974, the role of Chairman of Internment-Deportations was taken by Deputy Prime Minister Manush Myftiu, and after the sentencing of Kadri Hazbiu, the role of vice-chairman was taken by Hekuran Isai).

During its entire period of existence and operation, this commission issued hundreds and thousands of decisions, deporting and interning thousands of persons who were forcibly removed from their places of residence and compelled to live in remote villages and areas of the country, from south to north. The villages containing internment camps were primarily designated by the government in the Myzeqe area of Lushnje and Fier (Savër, Çermë, Bedat, Grabian, Gradisht, Plug, Gjazë, Zhamë, Sulzotaj, Kryekuq, Karavasta, Shtyllas, etc.) – specifically in the central part of the country – to keep them as far as possible from the state borders to prevent escape from Albania.

Based on the relevant law under which the Internment-Deportation Commission operated, a person or a family was initially interned for five years, but these terms were repeated, being extended every five years. As a result, entire families – mainly from Northern Albania, such as the Gjonmarkaj of Mirdita; the Kaloshi, Sina, Alia, Dema, Dine, Mena, and Ndreu of Dibra; the Bajraktari and Kolgjini of Kukës; the Kola, Allamani, and Sulkurti of Mat; the Merlika, Kupa, and Bami of Kruja; the Mirakaj of Puka; the Radi and Gjekaj of Shkodra; the Pervizi of Kurbin; and the Mulleti and Petrela of Tirana; or those from the South of the country, such as the Dosti of Gjirokastra; the Frashëri and Çela of Përmet and Kolonja; the Staravecka of Skrapar, etc. – remained in internment locations until 1991, when the communist regime collapsed. In fact, some of them remained there for many years afterward, as they had nowhere else to go, having no corner left to shelter their heads!

Regarding the above, Memorie.al has secured a voluminous file from the Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (bearing the “Secret” stamp, but long since declassified), containing the decisions of the Internment-Deportation Commission, which we are publishing in full along with the relevant facsimiles. These include the names of the individuals and families who were deported and interned, as well as the specific charges against each of them.

                                              Continued from the previous issue…

DECISION NO. 41 OF THE COMMISSION FOR INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA                                             TOP SECRET

COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION              Tirana, 5.8.1967

                                                        DECISION No. 41

The Internment-Expulsion Commission, convened on 5.8.1967, in support of the decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 2.8.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

DECIDED:

To release from internment, as they do not pose a social danger, the following persons:

1. Rozeta Zeqir Zeka, born in 1950, born and residing in Korça, unemployed, middle class.
2. Artere Pertef Bregu, born in 1947, teacher by profession, middle class.
3. Perloc Mark Margilaj, born in 1924, born in Potgorica, Yugoslavia, with Yugoslav nationality and citizenship.

The aforementioned has been approved by the Presidium of the People’s Assembly to renounce Albanian citizenship and is now residing in Çermë, Lushnje district.

4. Kasino Sali Agaçi, born in 1930, born in Çamëria and residing in Vlorë, married.

VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION                    CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION

KADRI HAZBIU                                                                        ————————

                                                              MEMBERS

 PROSECUTOR GENERAL                   PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT            

 LEFTER GOGA                                                                     ARANIT ÇELA

DECISION NO. 42 – OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA                                          TOP SECRET

COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION           Tirana, 5.8.1967

                                            DECISION No. 42

The Internment-Deportation Commission, convened on 5.8.1967, in support of the decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 2.8.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

DECIDED:

To internecine for 5 years, Savër of the Lushnje district:

1. Imer Sali Spahiu, born in 1915, born in Kolesjan, Kukës, resident in Tirana, by profession a warehouseman, wealthy class, non-party.

In 1948, he was caught preparing to escape to Yugoslavia, while his brother, Neziri, escaped and is in France. He carries out hostile activity against our country.

Another brother, Enver, is interned for bad political stance.

There are two sons of his brother in Yugoslavia, one of whom is a major officer and serves in the U.D.B., while the other, Ramadan Spahiu, is one of the leaders of Albanian emigration in Yugoslavia.

His cousin, Lutfi Spahiu, is one of the leaders of Albanian reaction abroad.

In June 1967, his son, Ideali, escaped to Yugoslavia, having been a soldier on the border.

2. Rabije Fuat Spahiu, born in 1923, residing in Tirana, housewife, non-party, wife of Imer.
3. Fisnik Imer Spahiu, born in 1945, born and residing in Tirana, with 7 years of education, worker in the Mëzez mine, son of Imer.

The internment began on 5.8.1967 and ended on 5.8.1972.

VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION          CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION

KADRI HAZBIU                                                                   ———————

                                                              MEMBERS

PROSECUTOR GENERAL                    PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT            

LEFTER GOGA                                                          ARANIT ÇELA

DECISION NO. 43 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA                                         TOP SECRET

COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION          Tirana, 5.8.1967

                                                  DECISION No.43

The Internment-Expulsion Commission, convened on 5.8.1967, in support of the decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 2.8.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

DECIDED:

To internegate for social danger, the following persons:

1. Vlash Pano Biça, born in 1914, born and residing in Dhërmi, Vlorë district, with primary education, farmer by profession, married, poor class.
2. Harikli Thoma Biça, born in 1924, housewife, wife.
3. Mihal Vlash Biça, born in 1934, with 7 years of education, son.
4. Zaharulla Vlash Biça, born in 1949, with 7 years of education, daughter.

On June 27, 1967, Vlash’s son, Mark Vlash Biça, betrayed his homeland by fleeing to Greece.

To be interned in the village of Verrnik, Vlorë district, for 5 years.

The internment begins on 5.8.1967 and ends on 5.8.1972.

VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION        CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION

KADRI HAZBIU                                                                            ———————

                                                       MEMBERS

PROSECUTOR GENERAL                    PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT            

LEFTER GOGA                                                                      ARANIT ÇELA

DECISION NO. 44 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA                                          Top Secret

COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION          Tirana, 29.8.1967

                                            DECISION No. 44

The Internment-Deportation Commission, convened on 29.8.1967, in support of the decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 2.8.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

DECIDED:

For the reason that they do not pose a social danger, to lift the measure of internment from the following persons:

1. Drita Ibrahim Shehu, born in 1924, residing in Elbasan, interned in 1962. By decision No. 31, dated 27.6.1964, she was deported for 5 years.
2. Fatmir Fahredin Frashëri, born in 1935, born and residing in Korça, was interned within the district by decision No. 1, dated 9.1.1967, for 5 years.
3. Nasibe Beqir Dule, born in 1902, resident in Tirana, interned in Seman, Fier district, by decision no. 19, dated 19.4.1966, for 5 years.
4. Kleoptara Mihal Garuli, born in 1912, resident in Krujë, interned from Durrës in 1962. By decision no. 31, dated 27.6.1964, she was interned for 5 years.
5. Erifili Jani Garuli, born in 1933, resident in Krujë, interned from Durrës in 1962. By decision no. 31, dated 27.6.1964, she was interned for 5 years.
6. Llesh Preng Rrexhaj, born in 1935, from Vermoshi, Shkodra district, interned in Kruja in 1958. In 1964, by decision No. 31, he was deported for another 5 years.

VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION        CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION

KADRI HAZBIU                                                                   ———————–

                                                        MEMBERS

PROSECUTOR GENERAL                  PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT            

LEFTER GOGA                                                         ARANIT ÇELA

DECISION NO. 45 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA                                          Top Secret

COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION          Tirana, 29.8.1967

                                            DECISION No. 45

The Internment-Deportation Commission, convened on 29.8.1967, in support of the decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 2.8.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

DECIDED:

To lift the measure of internment and return to deportation, Paskal Kristo Zoga, born in 1926, from the village of Shtikë in Kolonjë.

He was interned in Lushnje in 1960. By decision No. 49, dated 9.10.1966, his term of internment was extended for another 3 years.

He is prohibited from moving around and residing in the districts; Tropoja, Shkodër, Kukës, Peshkopi, Librazhd, Pogradec, Korçë, Kolonjë, Përmet, Gjirokastër, Saranda, Vlorë, Durrës, Tirana.

The deportation begins on 29.8.1967 and ends on 9.X.1969.

VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION        CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION

KADRI HAZBIU                                                                   ———————–

                                                        MEMBERS

PROSECUTOR GENERAL                  PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT            

LEFTER GOGA                                                         ARANIT ÇELA

DECISION NO. 46 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA                                          Top Secret

COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION          Tirana, 29.8.1967

                                            DECISION No. 46

The Internment-Deportation Commission, convened on 29.8.1967, in support of the decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 2.8.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

DECIDED:

For the reason that he poses a social danger, to extend the period of internment for another 2 years, Erifili Zoi Laçka, born in 1927, residing in Pogradec.

He was interned in Krujë by decision No. 72, dated 4.9.1962, for a period of 5 years.

VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION        CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION

KADRI HAZBIU                                                                   ———————–

                                                        MEMBERS

PROSECUTOR GENERAL                  PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT            

LEFTER GOGA                                                         ARANIT ÇELA

DECISION NO. 47 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA                                          Top Secret

COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION          Tirana, 5.10.1967

                                            DECISION No. 47

The Internment-Expulsion Commission, convened on 5.10.1967, in support of the decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 2.8.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

DECIDED:

For the reason that they carry out hostile activities and pose a significant social danger, to internecine for 5 years the following persons.

1. Ramiz Selman Kaca, born in 1913, born in the village of Vinjoll, Mati district, residing in the city of Tirana, by profession a driver, working in the bus fleet, married with children, middle class, with secondary education.
2. Nadire Veli Kaca, born in 1924, is the granddaughter of the criminal Beqir Valteri, works as a seamstress in the “Ylli i Kuq” Cooperative, is Ramiz’s wife.
3. Bashkim Ramiz Kaca, born in 1943, born and residing in Tirana, with 7 years of education, married, mechanic at the “Tirana” Factory, son.
4. Lulzim Ramiz Kaca, born in 1946, is doing military service, son.

To be interned in…..

5. Shan Kel Deda, born in 1926, born in Shkodër and residing in Tirana, clerk in N.I.L. Production, wealthy class, with secondary education, married.
6. Julia Zef Deda, born in 1943, works in a chemical laboratory, his wife.
7. Luçia Simon Deda, born in 1900, housewife, mother.
8. Simon Kel Deda, born in 1932, athlete of the “Partizani” Club, single, brother.
9. Rozina Kel Deda, born in 1928, former wife of Ndrek Kakarriqi, convicted of hostile activity, with whom she was divorced, teacher at the “Stalin” Textile Plant, Shani’s sister.
10. Julian Ndrek Deda, born in 1949, worker at the “Tirana” Factory, his father was sentenced to 20 years in prison for hostile activity, he is his nephew.

Interned in….! Memorie.al

VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION        CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION

KADRI HAZBIU                                                                   ———————–

                                                        MEMBERS

PROSECUTOR GENERAL                  PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT            

LEFTER GOGA                                                         ARANIT ÇELA

                                                     Continued in the next issue…