Dashnor Kaloçi
The Forty-Fifth Part
Memorie.al/ publishes several archival documents extracted from the institution of the Authority for Information on the Files of the former State Security, which contains the voluminous file (forms, investigative and judicial) of Myrteza Bajraktari, originally from Gostivar. After finishing high school in the city of Tetovo in 1952, he began his university studies at the University of Skopje, in the Philosophy department, where alongside his studies he also worked as a journalist for the newspaper “Flaka e Vllaznimit” (Flame of Brotherhood) published in Skopje. He was quickly dismissed from there after publishing an article openly opposing the displacement of Yugoslav Albanians to Turkey, and as a result, he was appointed a teacher at the “Shaban Zeneli” seven-year school in Kumanovo. The arrest of Myrteza by UDB [Yugoslav secret police] in 1956, as he was part of a secret organization called the ‘Albanian National-Democratic Organization’, and his sentencing to seven years of political prison, which he served in the prisons of Niš and Idrizovo. His escape from Yugoslavia and arrival in Albania, where after staying for some time in the internment camp in Seman, Fier, he was granted the right to higher education, graduating from the University of Tirana in the Language-Literature branch. However, after refusing an assignment to the city of Berat in 1971, he was arrested and sentenced to seven years of political prison on the charge of “agitation and propaganda.” His release from prison, being left unemployed until the fall of the communist regime, and his appointment as Consul General of Albania in Switzerland until 1993, as well as his subsequent election as Honorary Chairman of the ‘Albanian League in the World’ for the Benelux countries, where he worked for the Kosovo issue until he passed away on December 11, 2020. The entire complete file of Myrteza Bajraktari, with the names of State Security officials and officers, the pseudonyms of collaborators, “colleagues,” and “fellow patriots” who followed and surveilled him, the provocateurs in the investigation cells, the witnesses who testified against him in court, the letters sent to Enver Hoxha and high official instances requesting his innocence, etc., etc., is published for the first time by Memorie.al
Continued from the previous issue
The secret document with the report prepared by Operational Worker, Eduart Bala, containing data from the Security collaborator with the pseudonym “Gama,” from the “Obuzi” surveillance base, regarding the tracking and surveillance of Myrteza Bajraktari.
Received by: Op. Wrk. Eduart Bala
Given by: “Gama”
Base “Obuzi”
Tirana, December 13, 1984
R E P O R T
The source informs that on December 2, 1984, he went to Myrteza Bajraktari’s house for a visit and to fix his electric doorbell. He asked Myrteza, among other things, what had become of the situation regarding his brother-in-law [wife’s sister’s husband], who is arrested. Myrteza replied that: my brother-in-law’s case is being clarified negatively; I have heard from reliable sources that my brother-in-law, along with three other arrested persons, are being accused of espionage and that they will be brought out these days in a special trial, which will be directed by the High Court itself, that will be filmed and about which the Party leader is also aware.
Myrteza expressed that: on one hand, I am satisfied that it turned out this way, that my brother-in-law and his other arrested comrades are accused of espionage and not of agitation, because this reassures us Kosovars, who suspected that maybe a new wave of arrests was starting, as we were surprised how these Kosovars were arrested in a positive situation for Kosovars! I am surprised I didn’t know my brother-in-law; I gave [instructions] to my wife to tell her sister [his sister-in-law] to divorce her husband immediately. I’m sorry it happened this way.
During the conversation, as well as during the walk he took with Myrteza afterwards, on the way to Gani Ratkoceri’s house, Myrteza testified that my brother-in-law and the others must have been set up [literally: put in a mold/trap] by Feçor Shehu years ago; for Selim Kelmendi, I knew he had collaborated with our State Security, but for my brother-in-law, no; I know that years ago, he was suspended from work as a teacher for two months, accused of abusing a female student. My brother-in-law was very sensitive and couldn’t endure such an accusation. After that, he was reinstated and fine again, surprisingly. Feçor probably helped him.
The source noticed that Myrteza smoked cigarettes the whole time, after having quit smoking for seven months. At Gani Ratkoceri’s house, there was also a relative by marriage [krushk] of Gani’s, Gjovalin Gjoka, a theater actor. No conversation of interest took place there. Upon leaving, Gani asked Myrteza: Anything new? Myrteza gave him a brief explanation that the source didn’t hear well because he was going down the stairs. On the way, Myrteza told the source that Gani still doesn’t believe that these arrestees were agents from the beginning, before they came to Albania!
The source parted from Myrteza on the street where he turned to go to his house. Myrteza promised him he would find him some blue pen refills and bring them to his house. But to this day, he hasn’t brought them yet. On December 9, the source went to Myrteza’s house again to fix the bell. Neither Myrteza nor his wife was there, only the children. They told him their father still hadn’t bought the parts for the bell.
“Gama”
Evaluation of the report:
The report has operational value as it shows that Myrteza Bajraktari has knowledge of the hostile activity of his brother-in-law; according to him, he has just found out about this activity, but it’s possible he knew earlier. The report shows that this target does not correctly assess the strikes made against hostile groups, but says: *”How come, they do this to Kosovars, to sentence them?!”*
Clarification:
Myrteza Bajraktari is being actively processed (2/A) as an agent of the Yugoslavs. The group he is referring to is a residency of Yugoslav Intelligence that was struck in the Shkodër area and is currently on trial.
Tasks assigned:
Meet with Myrteza again and ask him for clarifications regarding the activity of this group. Contact Agim Gjakova to bring him closer to him.
Operational Worker
Eduart Bala
The secret document with the surveillance report prepared by the head of Surveillance Base No. 10, Andrea Karapanço, regarding the tracking and surveillance of the Kosovar visitor, Rexhep Lajçi, known by the State Security by the pseudonym “Gjarpri” (The Snake).
SECRET
Copy No. 1
Tirana, July 20, 1985
SURVEILLANCE REPORT FOR DATE JULY 20, 1985, ON THE SURVEILLANCE OF THE KOSOVAR VISITOR KNOWN BY THE PSEUDONYM “GJARPPRI” (REXHEP LAJÇI)
At 06:55, the target left the house where he is staying, carrying a bag and accompanied by the target “Bretkosa” (The Frog). Both cross “M. Grameno” street. At 07:02, at the entrance of the park near the Central House [Shtëpia Qendrore, likely a landmark], they meet and shake hands with two persons, who were heard being called: Adi and Zana, who will be known by the pseudonyms “Qypi” (The Pot/Jug) and “Pjata” (The Plate). The four of them, talking, pass through the park, Skënderbej Square, and at 07:10, they go to the taxi stand.
“Qypi” and “Pjata” separate, shaking hands, and go in different directions, while the target, with “Bretkosa”, meet and shake hands with two girls, who have these characteristics: one aged 18-20, tall, about 1.60m, somewhat plump, with a ponytail; the other, around 20 years old, tall about 1.70m, slim. They also meet a woman, who will be known by the pseudonym “Kuqja” (The Red), and Idriz Sala, who is a Kosovar emigrant and has been met on other occasions as well.
At 07:25, the target, with “Bretkosa” and the two girls, separate and get into taxi Tr…, driven by driver Vilson Josifi. They travel along “K. Pezës” street, direction Durrës, without stopping, and at 08:15, they stop in front of the Hotel “Apollonia” at the Durrës beach. They get out and enter the hotel.
At 09:10, the target with “Bretkosa” and the two girls leave the hotel and go into the tourist zone, along the main road. At 09:45, in front of the [“Teuta”?], the two girls separate and go in different directions, while the target and “Bretkosa” enter the beach area near the railway line, wandering around. At 10:00, they meet and embrace a woman, who is the daughter of Ibrahim Kuka, and resides in Shkozet, Building 781, Entrance 10; she also has a beach umbrella. Here, both targets sunbathe and swim. At 12:15, both targets get up, part from Ibrahim’s daughter, cross the main beach road, and at 12:55, enter the restaurant of Hotel “Apollonia”.
At 13:50, they leave the restaurant and in front of it meet a man, who will be known by the pseudonym “Streha” (The Shelter/Roof), who was with his wife and two children. They all go through the beach area, reach the main road, and sit under the shade of poplar trees near the Post Office.
At 16:00, they get up from under the poplars and head to the beach, sitting on the sand in front of Hotel “Apollonia” under “Streha’s” umbrella. At 16:30, Myrteza Bajraktari with his wife arrives and meets the targets; they all sit together.
At 18:10, the target, together with Myrteza and Çimi [who will be known by the pseudonym “Streha”], go into the sea for five minutes, and then come out. Here, “Streha” parts from the target and Myrteza, and they go in different directions, while these two go back to the umbrella.
At 12:30 [likely a typo, probably 18:30 or later], the target leaves the umbrella and enters Hotel “Apollonia”. At 19:10, the target was seen coming from the direction of Hotel “Apollonia”, dressed in a dark grey suit, where he meets again with “Bretkosa”, Myrteza, and his wife. All three enter the house that Myrteza has rented (which is known by the operational sector).
At 22:10, the target leaves the house together with “Bretkosa”, Myrteza, and his wife, and they take a stroll through the tourist zone, in front of Hotel “Apollonia”. At 22:30, the target parts from them, wishing them goodnight, and enters Hotel “Apollonia”.
Date: July 21, 1985
At 06:00, surveillance begins awaiting the target’s exit from Hotel “Apollonia”. At 08:20, the target leaves the hotel and goes onto the sand, where “Bretkosa” was, with Myrteza, his wife, and children. At 08:50, a person who will be known by the pseudonym “Steka” (The Stalk/Stem) arrives at the target’s umbrella, with his wife and two children.
At 08:55, “Streha” arrives, who was heard being called Çimi, who has settled near Nustret Hasani (who works as a driver at the Goods Park in Durrës). He meets “Bretkosa” and “Gjarpri”, while “Steka” greets him. After exchanging greetings with them, he sits down at the targets’ umbrella. At 08:30, Ahmet Sadiku came and left at 12:00.
At 09:25, Agim Gjakova comes from the direction of the main beach road. In front of the umbrella where “Bretkosa” and “Gjarpri” are sitting, they get up and meet him, embracing Agim, who stood four or five steps away from the umbrella where Çimi with his wife and Ahmet Sadiku were staying.
After talking for 2 minutes, Agim goes in a different direction, while the targets return to their umbrella. Although there were many people at the targets’ umbrella, Ahmeti stayed the longest. At 14:45 [possibly a typo for 2:45 PM?], the target gets up from the umbrella and goes alone to the hotel.
At 14:10, the target together with “Bretkosa” leaves the “Apollonia” restaurant and goes to the previously frequented place, the rented room (Myrteza Bajraktari’s). At 19:05, the target together with “Bretkosa” crosses the main road in front of Hotel “Apollonia”, walking on the sand.
At 19:15, they stop near the umbrella where a person known by the pseudonym “Streha” was. They meet him, “Bretkosa” separates and goes in a different direction, the target together with “Streha” go to the beach.
At 19:30, the target leaves Hotel “Apollonia” with a bag in hand and walks through the tourist zone, stopping near the bus station by the Post Office. After 10 minutes, Ahmet Sadiku and his wife arrive and meet him; they were seen getting off the bus. All three enter the “Hekurudha” (Railway) restaurant.
At 20:20, they go and sit at a table on the veranda of Hotel “Adriatiku”. From a distance, they were seen eating and drinking. At 22:35, Ahmeti and his wife part from the target and board the bus. The target leaves towards the tourist zone and at 22:45 [possibly 22:45], enters Hotel “Apollonia”.
Date: July 22, 1985
At 06:00, surveillance begins awaiting the target’s exit. At 08:45, the target leaves Hotel “Apollonia” with an “Iliria” brand radio in his hand and after 3 minutes, he goes to the umbrella where Myrteza Bajraktari was. He meets him and sits on a lounger; both stay together talking.
At 09:16, both get up, talking, walking on the sand through the tourist zone. At 09:35, they walk in front of the “Hekurudha” restaurant, separate. Myrteza goes in a different direction, while the target enters the beach area, in the “Teuta” zone, about 100-150 meters before going to the Dajlan Bridge. Here he goes to the umbrella where Ahmet Sadiku was, as well as two children. He stayed sunbathing. /Memorie.al
Head of Base No. 10
Andrea Karapanço
Clarification of pseudonyms:
“Qypi” is Zana Tartari
“Pjata” is Zana Skënderi
“Kuqja” is Mine Skënderi
Operational Worker
Niko Bega
