Dashnor Kaloçi
Memorie.al publishes some unknown archival documents extracted from the Central State Archive (fund of the former Central Committee of the ALP) and the Archive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which are made public for the first time, where there is a correspondence of the main officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the Italian Embassy in Tirana and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, regarding the event of January 6, 1989, when the ship “Dukati” while sailing in the Adriatic Sea, was hijacked by its captain, Enver Meta, who had hidden eight of his comrades on the ship’s premises and with them, held hostage the seven crew members, until they left for the port of Brindisi. The whole chronology of that serious event that had a great echo in the Italian press, which not only caused a strong diplomatic clash between official Tirana and Rome, but caused a great storm in the ranks of the Ministry of Interior in Tirana, where 15 senior officials of the management chain were dismissed or severely punished, from the non-commissioned officer of the Border Crossing Point in the Port of Durrës, to the Director of State Security, Zylyftar Ramizi, as well as the Minister Hekuran Isai , who was severely reprimanded at the Bureau meeting that continued for several days under the leadership of Ramiz Alia, where there were strong clashes between its members, with mutual accusations of abuse and misuse, and even family problems. that they had.
In the mid-60s, while the well-known writer and researcher, Nasho Jorgaqi, was writing the screenplay for the film “Silent Duel”, which was based on a real event that took place in the first years after the war in the port of Durres and territorial waters in the Adriatic Sea (an event which even today carries with it many mysteries and has not yet been solved), would never have occurred to him, that that event would be repeated point by point, full 55 years later, in January 1989. But unlike the beginning of June 1947, when the sailor Spiro Kote (played in the film by the great Rikard Ljarja), managed to return the ship to the Port of Durres, after having killed three The crew, led by “Captain Ramiun”, the captain of the ship “Dukati”, managed to escape from Albania together with eight of his friends who were hiding in the ship, anchoring him in the port of Brindisi, after had held hostage the seven members of the equator pazhit in the barns of the ship. This serious event and at the same time one of the most unusual stories that happened in the last three decades that had a great echo in the Italian press, not only caused a real storm in the ranks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of that time, where were dismissed or given severe punishments and punitive measures for 15 persons of the management chain, from the non-commissioned officer of the Checkpoint in the Port of Durrës, (who had not properly performed the control of the ship before going to sea), until to the Director of State Security, Zylyftar Ramizi, as well as the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hekuran Isai, who was severely reprimanded at the meeting of the Politburo that took place for several days under the leadership of Ramiz Alia. Where as rarely ever, all members of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the ALP, got involved in fierce debates with each other, with mutual accusations of abuse, misuse and even their family problems. Regarding the above, that is, since the unusual event of January 6, 1989, the negotiations of the Albanian government with the Italian one for the return to Albania of the “terrorist group” of eight people headed by, Enver Meta, who were implicated in drug smuggling ”etc., the investigative process against them in Durrës, as well as the long and very irritated meetings of the Politburo, Memorie.al has two voluminous files which have been with the logo“ Top secret ”and have been declassified for some time, is making them public for the first time, starting with the last issue.
Continued from the previous issue
Letter from Deputy Minister Sokrat Plaka to the Albanian Embassy in Rome: Urgently request the extradition of the terrorists of the ship “Dukati”
PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Tirana, on 14.I.1989
LEGAL BUREAU
No. 161
Subject: Some investigative materials are sent
EMBASSY OF THE RPS OF ALBANIA
(Sh.Dashnor Dervishi) R O M Ë
Together we send you a note from the General Investigation of our country to the Italian Ministry of Justice, requesting the extradition of members of the terrorist group that fled to Italy on the fishing boat “Dukati” on January 6, 1989.
We also send you three original copies of the investigative materials in their charge, prepared by the Durrës District Investigation, which contains the two documents found by you.
The above-mentioned notes and materials must be submitted by you to a senior official of the Italian Ministry of Justice, with a note from the embassy. On this occasion, tell him briefly about the event and ask him to look at it carefully in the spirit of friendly relations between the two countries. To be told that it is in the interest of these relations that based on international norms and practices recognized and by Italian legislation, to act as soon as possible for their extradition to Albania.
Before submitting the materials, photocopy them on your behalf to keep the practice there, to perform if necessary any action or other formality that may be required by the Italian authorities.
Talk to a lawyer if it is necessary for this material to be translated into Italian. If so, let us know immediately.
A copy of this material will be delivered by us to the embassy here.
This issue should be evaluated and followed very carefully by you, constantly informing us about everything.
Deputy Minister
Sokrat Plaka
General Investigation Request for the Italian Ministry of Justice: Terrorists with knives, levers, etc., hit to kill a crew member
PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA
GENERAL INVESTIGATION
The General Investigator of the People’s Republic of Albania presents his compliments to the Ministry of Justice of the Italian Republic and has the honor to announce the following:
On January 7, 1989, the Durrës District Investigator started the criminal case against an organized group of terrorists, who on January 6, 1989, at around 22.00, forcibly abducted the ship “Dukati” belonging to the Fishing Enterprise in Durrës, with a crew of 9 people, while fishing in Albanian marine waters in the Adriatic Sea.
This group consisted of: Enver Meta, Bardhyl Vogli, Skënder Vogli, Ilir Dervishi, Agron Dervishi, Mustafa Meta, Artan Serjani, Qamil Nikshiqi and Arsen Shahini.
Its members were armed with knives, iron levers, etc. They have used physical violence and insulted seven crew members who came to the defense of the property and opposed their actions. In collaboration, they struck to kill one of the crew members, illegally stripped seven crew members of their liberty, tied up a person and locked them all with keys in the ship’s cabins, damaged the ship and its equipment. her.
After the violent abduction of the ship “Dukati”, they deliberately deviated from the destination designated for navigation and took it to the port of Brindisi in Italy.
The District Investigation in Durrës in support of the above facts and based on Article 43 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania as well as Articles 63,34,49,50,57 and 75 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, has started the case criminal decision to take as defendants and arrest, approved by the District Prosecutor in Durrës, the former captain of the ship “Dukati”, Enver Meta, former crew member of this ship, Bardhyl Vogli, as well as Skënder Vogli, Ilir Dervishi, Agron Dervishi, Mustafa Meta, Artan Serjani, Qemal Niksic and Arsen Shahini, all Albanian citizens.
From the investigations carried out and the acts that are presented together, it has resulted completely proven that the organized group of these terrorists in cooperation with each other, have committed the following criminal offenses:
The crime of robbery (hijacking of a ship and its abusive use) provided by Articles 65 and 12 of the Criminal Code of the People’s Republic of Albania:
Intentional damage to the ship provided by articles 67, first paragraph and article 13 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania.
Murder of an attempted person, provided by Article 84 letter “a”, Article 11 second paragraph and Article 13 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania.
Illegal deprivation of liberty (seizure of persons), to the detriment of seven persons, endangering their lives and health, as well as causing physical suffering provided by Articles 94 and 13 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania.
Abuse of duty by intentionally deviating from the destination of the ship, provided by Articles 106 and 13 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania.
Insult due to the duty provided by articles 120 and 13 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania.
Illegal crossing of state borders provided by Articles 127 and 13 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania.
Serious threats for the murder of seven persons provided by Articles 184 and 13 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania.
The group of terrorists committed these criminal acts on the premises of the ship “Dukati” which is the property of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, while it was in the Adriatic Sea, inland waters and in the territorial waters of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania. These crimes have continued to be committed offshore.
Relying on the legislation of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania, on the principles and norms of international law on the fight against terrorism and piracy, universally accepted, both by the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and the Italian Republic, as well as having in Consideration Articles 10 and 26 of the Constitution of the Italian Republic, Article 13 of the Criminal Code of the Italian Republic, Articles 661 to 671 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Italian Republic, the General Investigation on the basis of arrest warrants requests the extradition of the aforementioned terrorists and pleads that they be handed over to the Albanian authorities.
Such a request was also submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, the embassy of the Italian Republic in Tirana with the note dated 7.I.1989.
The General Investigator of the Socialist People’s Republic of Albania, waiting for an answer as soon as possible, expresses to the Ministry of Justice of the Italian Republic, the assurances of its highest consideration.
Tirana, January 13, 1989
Big echo in the Italian press of the escape of the ship “Dukati”
Italian press
The Bar newspaper “Tribuna BUSININESS”, dated January 13, 1989 publishes an article entitled: “There in Durres, in my house, 17 people in two rooms” and with the headline: “The dramatic story of Enver Meta, the Albanian captain who escaped to Pulje “and with the subtitle:” The commander of the fisherman, “Dukati” gives a new version of the facts that happened on board and I know that I will not see the woman and the girl anymore “, prepared by Pino Minunni. It reads: “Enver Meta, 30 years old captain of the Albanian fisherman,” Dukati “left on the ground on the morning of January 7 in the area opposite the Petro-Chemical Stabilization Bridge of Brindisi, has given a version of his own facts to Dr. Domenico Catenaccit, Deputy Prosecutor of the Republic at the Court of Brindisi, who under Italian law has accused him of “seizing persons”.
A version of the facts parks, as is understandable and predictable, aspects and moments, in addition to details, the same and different at the same time, regarding what the seven crew members showed who did not “betray” the government of Tirana and which is the first official membrane of Albanian sources, which were used by the press.
We are obliged to underline, that for us, it does not matter which of the two versions will be the true ay, being one or the other influential for the meaning and for the closing of this event. That is why, and only as a chronicle task, we bring back the “story” (or collage of some descriptions of some news, which we managed to have in our possession) of Captain Enver Meta, 30 years old (but shows… 50?) A story from which emerges a character who resembles a man prematurely old and deeply weakened, but who wants to resume living in a different way. A character for a few lines of longing, simple, maybe even tired, but whose “terrorist” costume would fit a little big. For convenience writing imagined that his story was provoked by some of our own questions (which obviously we could not do).
“I have been an employee of the Albanian state for six years,” said Enver Meta, as commander of the “Dukati” trawler with a tonnage of 220 tons and a 600-horsepower engine and a crew of eight. “
– Have you had any legal measures?
“If I had a problem with Justice, I would not be a civil servant.”
-What is your profit?
“About 130,000 lira in 15 days, about 260,000 lira a month, whenever the weather conditions allow for fishing.”
-What is the cost of living ratio?
“So, out of these 260,000 liras per month, about 100,000 need to be returned to the state, which is the rent for my apartment. An apartment consisting of two rooms and a kitchen.
– How long do you live there?
“17 people, my father, my mother, two brothers with wives, 8 single brothers and of course me and my wife and 4-year-old daughter.”
-A woman and a girl?
“A woman and a girl who knows that I will not see them again, no matter how this event ends, that I organized with my brother and seven other friends, (employee and clerk of the Port of Durres) about three months ago first “.
-Why not look at your wife and daughter anymore?
“If I stay in Italy, it will not be possible to meet them. If I will be forced to return… “
-What would be waiting for you?
“First, prison and then…”
And we come to the madness of escaping to Italy, always according to Enver Meta’s version.
“As I said before, we organized it three months ago. We had to wait for the right moment and take advantage of the unexpected facts. We also needed to be convinced of a life-threatening act of this kind. “But the perspective or rather the mirage of living in a country like Italy has strengthened our idea and our courage.”
-How and when do I start the transition to Italy?
“On Saturday, January 7, at 16:30, a regular exit from the port of Durrës for fishing was on the program. I knew the crew would not arrive on board before the scheduled time. So around 13.00 I embarked on seven friends, among whom, my brother, Mustafa, two years younger than me. I housed four of them in an unusable refrigerator cupboard, two under the steering wheel and one in my cabin. When the crew members boarded, they did not notice anything. We went offshore and threw nets. Around 9 pm the fishermen, as usual, went to rest. Together with a friend, who, like me, had chosen to escape (and who was arrested by the Brindisi Investigator on Tuesday morning for “collaborating in the seizure of persons”), I locked the barn door where the crew was resting. . At this time, I oriented the voyage to the nearest Italian coast, or rather the Port of Brindisi, where I arrived at around 6.00 the next day, Saturday, remaining at a point at which, there was no depth. I launched a small boat into the sea, in which I and eight other fugitives landed.
-The crew members were still asleep?
“They woke up when they noticed that the trawler had stopped sailing. They noticed that they were locked in a key, they exploded the gate, they managed to get out and see the small boat leaving with a hurry… hope “.
Italian press
The Bari newspaper “La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno”, dated January 21, 1989, published the article entitled: “Both Albanians were released, a condition of need”, and the subtitle: “We were released from prison and transferred to a refugee camp where they are also their seven other compatriots “, written by Piero Argentiero.
It says, among other things:
“The two arrested Albanians accused me of seizing the crew of the fisherman, to come to Brindisi, and who sought political asylum, declared their innocence, because they had acted in conditions of need. The decision was announced to the first section of the Court after a brief meeting in the council chamber. The President of the Court was Dario Pafundi, Judge, Gaetano Buonfrate and Vincenzo Farina. Earlier, the prosecutor, Domenico Gotenacci, had requested the sentencing of the fisherman commander, Enver Meta, 31, from Durrës, to 23 years in prison and for Bardhyl Vogli, 23, from Durrës, to one and a half years.
In fact, as stated above, both were acquitted and released from prison and transferred to the refugee camp, where the seven Albanian emigrants have been staying for several days, who arrived in Brindisi with this trawler on the morning of the date. January 7. In his speech, the prosecutor said: “A crime was committed even though they understand the reason that pushes both defendants to act in this way.”
The ovarr defenders, lawyers Epifani, Melpignano and Crescenzo, demanded acquittal. Enver Meta and Bardhyl Vogli seized seven members of the crew of the fishing boat “Dukati” to carry out the boarding of seven others. Upon arrival in Brindisi, the nine sought political asylum, while the sequestered sailors denounced the event and demanded to return to Albania immediately./Memorie.al
Continues tomorrow
