By Dashnor Kaloçi
Part seven
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. 7 OF THE COMMISSION FOR INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Ex. No. 1
Tirana, 1.3.1967
DECISION No. 7
The Commission for Internment and Expulsion, convened on 01.03.1967, pursuant to the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 02.08.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
DECIDED:
That Ded Gjon Marku, born 1938, born in the village of Orosh, Mirditë, interned under Decision No. 12, dated 02.03.1962, in the Lushnje district for social danger – to be expelled for a 5-year term, prohibiting his residency and movement in the following districts: Shkodër, Tropojë, Kukës, Dibër, Lezhë, Krujë, Mirditë, Elbasan, Librazhd, Pogradec, Korçë, Ersekë, Përmet, Gjirokastër, Sarandë, Vlorë, Fier, Berat, Durrës, and Tirana.
The expulsion begins on 02.03.1967 and ends on March 2, 1972, for a 5-year term.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU —————————
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
DHORI PANARITI ARANIT ÇELA
DECISION NO. – OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Ex. No. 1
Tirana, 25.III.1967
DECISION No. 9
The Commission for Internment and Expulsion, convened on 25.03.1967, pursuant to the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 02.08.1954, having reviewed the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
DECIDED:
On the grounds of poor political standing and posing a social danger, to intern in Roskovec, Fier district, for a 5-year term: Dhora Andrea Leka, born 1920, born in Korçë and residing in the city of Berat, middle-class background, with higher education, previously convicted once for crimes against the state.
Her internment begins on 25.03.1967 and ends on 25.03.1972.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU —————————
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
DHORI PANARITI ARANIT ÇELA
DECISION NO. 11 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Ex. No. 1
Tirana, 28.III.1967
DECISION No.11
The Commission for Internment and Expulsion, convened on 28.03.1967, pursuant to the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 02.08.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
DECIDED:
To intern for a period of 5 years in the Grabjan sector, Lushnje district:
- Ismail Daci, son of Jonuz and Hazbije, born 1930, born and residing in Zall-Kalis, Dibër district, clerk, middle-class background, expelled from the Party, married with children.
- Hysen Daci, son of Jonuz and Hazbije, born 1917, born and residing in Zall-Kalis, Dibër district, middle-class background, expelled from the Party, married with children.
The aforementioned are elements with a poor political standing and marked social danger.
In an organized manner, they hindered the establishment of the agricultural cooperative in the village of Zall-Kalis. Even after the cooperative was established, they systematically sabotaged the villagers’ attendance at work.
The internment begins on 28.03.1967 and ends on 28.03.1972.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU —————–
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
DHORI PANARITI ARANIT ÇELA
DECISION NO. 12 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Ex. No. 1
Tirana, 3.IV.1967
DECISION No. 12
The Commission for Internment and Expulsion, convened on 03.04.1967, pursuant to the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 02.08.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
DECIDED:
On the grounds of poor political standing and posing a pronounced social danger, to intern in Rrëshen for a period of 5 years: Kaso Mehmet Karafili, born 1911, born in Konispol, residing in Tirana, former clerk, middle-class background.
The internment begins on 03.04.1967 and ends on 03.04.1972.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU —————-
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
DHORI PANARITI ARANIT ÇELA
DECISION NO. 15 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Ex. No. 1
Tirana, 19.IV.1967
DECISION No. 15
The Commission for Internment and Expulsion, convened on 19.04.1967, pursuant to the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 02.08.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
DECIDED:
To intern for a period of 5 years in the village of Ishëm, Durrës district:
- Vangjel Jorgji Manushi, born 1894, born in Berat and residing in the city of Durrës, wealthy-class background, unemployed.
- Jorgji Vangjel Manushi, born 1926, born and residing in the city of Durrës, his son, unemployed.
- Sotiraq Vangjel Manushi, born 1930, born in Bari, Italy and residing in Durrës, mechanic, his son.
- Haritini Sotir Manushi, born 1905, his wife, unemployed.
- Amalia Tito Manushi, born 1945, born and residing in Durrës, his daughter-in-law, unemployed.
- Violeta Tefik Manushi, born 1945, born and residing in Durrës, his daughter-in-law, unemployed.
The aforementioned individuals pose a pronounced social danger. The residents of Neighborhood No. 3 in Durrës have decided on their removal from the city of Durrës.
The internment begins on 19.04.1967 and ends on 19.04.1972, for a 5-year term.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU ——————-
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
DHORI PANARITI ARANIT ÇELA
DECISION NO. 16 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Ex. No. 1
Tirana, 19.IV.1967
DECISION No. 16
The Commission for Internment and Expulsion, convened on 19.04.1967, pursuant to the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 02.08.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
DECIDED:
To intern for a period of 5 years in the village of Qatrom, Korçë district:
- Sheme Hasan Koçibelli, born 1937, born in Qatrom, Korçë, residing in Tirana, of wealthy peasant origin, with a primary education, former clerk, married with three children, non-party member.
- Avni Hasan Koçibelli, born 1941, born in Qatrom, Korçë, residing in Tirana, wealthy peasant [origin], with a 7-year education, mechanic by profession.
- Reko Hasan Koçibelli, born 1904, mother of Sheme.
- Sulejman Hasan Koçibelli, born 1929, brother of Sheme.
- Qefser Riza Koçibelli, born 1927, spouse of Sheme.
During the war, the family was linked to Balli Kombëtar; after liberation, their lands were confiscated, and they were declared “kulaks.” In 1947, they moved as a family from Korçë and settled in Tirana.
Due to their poor political standing… they have been fired several times and are currently unemployed. The City Executive Committee called upon them to return to their birthplace, but they refused. It has been verified that Sheme and Avni expressed themselves in a hostile manner, saying: “We will not go to the village to be ordered around by our former servants; life in the cooperative is bad; if the opportunity arose, we would kill them with a knife, from the greatest to the least!”
In recent days, Sheme has displayed terrorist tendencies, stating: “I will kill my children, but not before killing one of these [officials].”
The internment begins on 19.04.1967 and ends on 19.04.1972.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU ——————-
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
DHORI PANARITI ARANIT ÇELA
DECISION NO. 17 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Ex. No. 1
Tirana, 27.IV.1967
DECISION No. 17
The Commission for Internment and Expulsion, convened on 27.04.1967, pursuant to the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 02.08.1954, after studying the materials and proposals submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
DECIDED:
To intern for a period of 5 years in the village of Pagri, Përmet district:
- Feta Sali Mala, born 1910, born in the village of Pagri, Përmet district, residing in the city of Tirana, middle-class background, with a secondary education, unemployed.
- Qamile Refat Mala, born 1919, his wife, unemployed.
- Vullnet Feta Mala, born 1939, clerk by profession, unemployed, his son.
- Petrit Feta Mala, born 1941, mechanic by profession, unemployed, his son.
- Violeta Feta Mala, born 1949, unemployed, his daughter.
- Dylbere Feta Mala, born 1942, unemployed, his daughter.
- Diana Osman Mala, born 1947, unemployed, his daughter-in-law.
The internment begins on 27.04.1967 and ends on 27.04.1972, for a 5-year term.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU ——————-
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
DHORI PANARITI ARANIT ÇELA
DECISION NO. 18 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Group II
Tirana, 3.I.1967
DECISION No. 18
The Commission for Internment and Expulsion, convened on 03.01.1967, pursuant to Paragraph II of Article 3 of the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 02.08.1954,
DECIDED:
The confiscation of the portion of assets belonging to the following individuals:
- Petraq Koli Papadhami, born and residing in the city of Korçë.
- Thanas Koli Papadhami, born and residing in the city of Korçë.
- Pandi Vasil Sterjo, born and residing in the city of Korçë.
The aforementioned individuals, on 26.09.1966, committed treason against the fatherland by escaping abroad to Greece.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU ——————-
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
DHORI PANARITI ARANIT ÇELA
DECISION NO. 19 OF THE COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Secret
COMMISSION ON INTERNMENT AND EXPULSION Group II
Tirana, 3.I.1967
DECISION No. 19
The Commission for Internment and Expulsion, convened on 03.01.1967, pursuant to Paragraph II of Article 3 of the Decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, No. 1906, dated 02.08.1954,
DECIDED:
The confiscation of assets belonging to Çel Zenel Selimaj, from the village of Valbonë, Tropojë district, who on 09.09.1966, escaped to Yugoslavia with all his family members./Memorie.al
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION
KADRI HAZBIU ——————-
MEMBERS
PROSECUTOR GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
DHORI PANARITI ARANIT ÇELA
Continued in the next issue…
