By Sheradin BERISHA
The first part
– The persecution, imprisonment and persecution of the Albanians of Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro, by Tito’s regime, in the years 1948-1968! –
Memorie.al / In June 1948, after the political relations between Belgrade and Moscow deteriorated, the Communist Party of Yugoslavia was expelled from the organization of the parties of the communist states “Informbyro” and in this case the relations of the USSR were broken ( Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and its allies, with AVNOJ’s Yugoslavia. In this situation, Albania took the side of the organization: Informbyro, and its remaining in pro-Soviet positions, caused it to break the “good” relations it had with the People’s Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, since 1945.
Although during the period 1945-1948, the position of the Albanians in Kosovo and in other ethnic countries was bad, the breakdown of Yugoslavia-Albania relations has only encouraged the deterioration of their position even more. The Yugoslav regime, led by the duo Tito – Ranković, taking advantage of this situation, re-actualized the anti-Albanian projects of Vasa Čubrillović (March 1937 and early November 1944), for the annihilation, assimilation or violent displacement of Albanians from their ethnic lands.
This anti-Albanian state policy, which had started before the end of the Second World War (1944), took on new genocidal proportions in this period. Only in 1948, the communist regime arrested and brought before the court 306 Albanians, accused of criminal offenses against the state. After Albania was designated for the “Informbyron”, the Tito-Rankovic regime, all the Albanian cadres in Kosovo, who were considered as enemies of Yugoslavia, qualified them as “informbyron”. The infamous OZNA/UDB, through its Albanian-speaking collaborators, had in time created a special file, putting about 120,000 Albanians under surveillance.
The UDB had also opened such a file for Xhelad Shyqyri Hana, the early fighter against Nazi-fascism, former member of the KNCK, one of the co-authors of drafting the basic documents of the Bujani Conference and, finally, director of the newspaper “Renaissance”. The patriot Xheladin Hana was secretly arrested, maybe he was being sent somewhere, while within the walls of the OZN/UDB, and he was pressured to betray his collaborators of the ideal.
However, Xheladin did not kneel for a moment before the inhumane pressures and tortures of Udba criminals. Since Xheladin endured the cruel torture, the executioners of Tito-Rankovic, on 15.12.1948, brutally ended his life. On April 15, 1949, the vice president of the Macedonian government, Nexhat Agolli from Dibra e Madhe, was arrested and after two weeks (exactly on the night of April 27-28, 1949) he was suffocated by the cruel torture of the UDB.
While the persecution and the number of persecuted Albanians increased mercilessly throughout the ethnic Albanian villages, unjustly left outside the borders of London Albania, in May 1949, in a military-police expedition directed by the Udbas: Čedo Topallović and Čedo Mijović, the aim was to arrest the Chairman of the Front Provincial folk: Rifat Latif Berisha, from the village of Berishë, known for his wisdom and national courage, but at that moment they could not catch Rifat.
(Rifati was one of the organizers of the Bujan Conference, in which he was also elected vice-president. He never agreed with the betrayal of the decisions of the Bujan Conference – that after the Second World War, Kosovo should join Albania. For this Rifat was also targeted by OZN/UDB.).
Since Rifat Berisha did not agree to fall into the hands of Tito’s bloody regime, he chose resistance until death. In this situation, Rifat was joined by other comrades.
The unit consisted of six people, entirely from the sons of the Berisha family: brothers Rifat, Mustafa and Islam Berisha, Brahim Berisha son of Islam and Hali and Jahir Berisha, their first cousins. This unit led by Rifati, on May 17, 1949, was treacherously surrounded in the village of Gajrak by the owner of the house, Ismail Gajraku (where he was sheltered).
In a document it is stated that; Rifat Berisha with his comrades “fought a whole day. At 10 o’clock at night, Rifati and his unit attacked the triple siege of Udbas, but after breaking through the first two sieges, he was killed! During this bloody battle, Rifat Berisha was killed along with three fellow fighters: Islam, Mustafa and Brahim Berisha, while Halit and Jahir Berisha, although covered in blood, managed to get out of the siege and escaped death.
In the cold winter of 1950 in the border area with Albania, the patriot Sabaudin Gjura from Shipkovica and Tetova was killed. Isuf Torozi from Dibra e Madhe, a member of the Party Committee in Dibra, suffered a similar fate. Torozi was arrested by the UDB bodies in 1949, as a man with nationalist views, and mercilessly Tito’s UDBAs brutally tortured him. In March 1949, Cenë Shyqriu from Gjakova was arrested and then disappeared without a trace.
In the first years after the end of the Second World War, in Kosovo and in other ethnic Albanian countries, under the occupation of Yugoslavia, it is estimated that the Titist regime liquidated about 49,000 Albanians. In Kosovo, 28,400 Albanians were liquidated in various forms; in the Albanian villages in Macedonia, 7,000 Albanians; in the Albanian villages in Montenegro, 8,300 Albanians; while 5,000 other Albanians have been liquidated in other years, as a pledge from OZN, namely UDB.
In these circumstances, to escape persecution, imprisonment and physical liquidation, many Albanians have been forced to move from their ancestral lands. It is well known that the years 1949-1966, referred to as; “Rankovic’s time”, were the most difficult years for the Albanian people, in the history after the Second World War.
During this period, the Albanian National Movement was organized in many forms, such as: the continuation of the activity of the LNDSH (“Albanian National-Democratic Movement”) by various groups with other names, the “informbureauists”, the organization of groups from the State Security Albanians, the opposition to the “Otkupi” props, the opposition to the assimilation of Albanians in Turkey and the fight against the gentlemanly agreement “Tito – Cyprus 1953”, for the relocation of Albanians to Turkey, the fight against various forms of collectivization, etc.
The OZN, namely the UDB, during the years 1945-1948, waged an uncompromising war for the destruction of the Albanian patriotic organization “Albanian National Democratic Movement” (LNDSH) and other illegal Albanian groups. And in the wake of this campaign, this service persecuted and imprisoned thousands of Albanians even after 1948.
– Thus, at the beginning of 1949, in the District Court in Pristina, 9 members of the LNDSH were convicted, such as: Xhavit Gafurri (son of the prominent patriot Nazmi Gafurri), Ahmet Malisheva, Rexhep Kurteshi, Menduh Maksuti, Enver Shala, Mehmet Pozharani, Safie Feta, Igballe Cuni and Karolin Fraki.
– In this Court, the group of Drenica, consisting of 6 members of the Movement, such as: Hasan Jashari-Likoci, Mehë Zeqiri, Dan Zeqiri, Qerim Rrypi, Halim Rrypi and Sylë Berisha, is also punished.
– During 1950, several LNDSH groups and other activists who opposed the action of the “Otkup” requisitions and discriminatory actions against Albanians, in every aspect of life, were also sentenced.
– On November 3, 1950, at the District Court in Pristina, by the Tupi College, judge: Arif Korapi, president of the college, and lay judges: Ali Abdullahu and Ismail Xhemaili, as well as the process-keeper Abdyl Doda, after several court sessions ( on 19.IX.1950, 10.X.1950, 1.XI.1950 and 2.XI.1950) in “the name of the people”, members of the “Albanian Union” organization are punished: Konstandin Vasilaca – Skënder Skënderi, army officer Albanian, with 15 years of heavy prison; Xhemë Latë Sadriu, with 8 years of heavy prison; Hajrullah Gorani, with 6 years of heavy prison; Hamdi Devolli, with 8 years of heavy prison; Rashit Gorani, with 8 years of heavy prison; Ramë Geca, with 3 years of heavy prison; Ymer Fazliu, with 2 years of heavy prison.
– In February 1950, the LNDSH group “Lidhja e Prizren” formed in the second semester of 1949, was imprisoned. This trial is held in Pristina under the chairmanship of Judge Shukri Begić, from New Bazaar. In this case, the following are sentenced: Shaban Derguti and Mustafa Nixha, with 20 years of heavy prison each, Shaban Mazreku and Hafez Jakupi, also with 20 years of heavy prison, Bitër Dehalla, Tomë Mjeda and Zeke Bajraktari, with 17 years of prison each serious, Nezir Hoti, with 15 years of serious prison and Ismet Dehiri, with 3 years of serious prison.
– In the second group of the LNDSH “Lidhja e Prizren” the following are sentenced: Arif Hoxha, with 12 years of heavy prison, while the following are sentenced with 3 years of heavy prison: Zeki Ahmeti, Isuf Dellova, Islam Fisheri, Zenel Kabashi, Gjokë Spaqi, Ibrahim Gashi, Ramiz Rexhepi and Shahide Kabashi, Shemsedin Gashi, Rexhep Hoti, Malush Duraku, Halim Voci, Bajram Dehiri, Mustafa Derguti, Maliq Gashi and many others.
– In the first 6 months of 1950, for sabotaging the gathering of “Otkupit” props and on the charge of being collaborators of the Albanian State Security, in Prishtina and Prizren, the following were convicted: Rizan Bajram Xhoxhaj, from Vërmica e Prizren, Sefer Tafil Elezkurtaj and Ibish Avdi Rizanaj, from the village of Zhur, Xhafer Selmani (Vërmica), Hajdar Bytyqi (Piranë), Nazif Hoti (Krushë e Madhe – father of Mr. Ukshin Hoti), Hamit Nuredini, Sali Mehmeti, Haki Malushi, Xheladin Gashi, Vesel Gashi, Avdyl Kryeziu, Ali Kryeziu, Zenun Kryeziu, Mahmut Abazi, Isa Dina, Qamil Qollaku, Xhafer Idrizi, Adil Afezi, Enver Beluli, Gani, Avni and Naim Zajmi, Muhedin Hadri, Halit Çollaku, Bije Vokshi, Lutfi Spahiu and Arif Randobrava.
– That same year in Pristina, the second group of Drenica, consisting of 11 members of LNDSH, such as: Ibrahim Tahiri, Hysen Hyseni, Sylë Mulliqi, Osman Beqiri with 10 years of heavy prison each, Smajl Ferizi and Milazim Hyseni, were imprisoned and sentenced , with 7 years of hard prison each, Hajredin Sadiku, Nebi Nuredini and Fetah Bogiqi, with 5 years of hard prison each, Rashid Obria and Hamit Hoda, with 15 years of hard prison (the latter in prison, it was discovered that he was in service of the UDB and was completely boycotted by the members of the LNDSH).
– At that time, Hasan Rema from Gjakova was also sentenced to 17 years in prison (Mr. Rema had been a fugitive in Albania for 3 years and then the Albanian State Security caught him and handed him over to the UDB in Kosovo!!) – In in 1950, in the District Court in Pejë, a group of 9 people from the LNDSH was also convicted: Sylë Mehmeti from Rugova, Sali Kelmendi from Ruhoti, Ali Fetahu from Veriqi, Bekë Tafili from Ruhoti, Ramë Bislimi from Nabërxhan, Gani Kastrati from Pejës, Salih Hasani and Sylë Shala from Peja, Fatmir Goranci from Gjakova and Ramë Isufi from Lubenić…! This year were also sentenced: Sami Peja, Ibrahim Berisha, Musa Gjuka, Faik Basha, Qazim and Enver Berisha and many others.
In 1951, at the District Court in Pristina, 11 members of the LNDSH from Mitrovica (arrested in September 1950) were convicted. This group consisted of: Bejtulla Sahiti, from Gushefci, Hajrullah Halili, from Doberlluka, Sinan Alija, from Broboniqi, Imer Ajeti, from Koshtova, Avdyl Haliti, from Rahova, Shefqet Kamberi, from Broboniqi, Zejnullah Mehmeti, from the village of Lip, Zejnel Shabani, from Mikushnica, Hajzer Ferizi, from Qabra, Zeqir Rashidi-Rashica, from the village of Studime and Bislim Fazliu, from Vidishiqi.
– During 1952, in the District Court in Pristina, the third group of LNDSH from Drenica was convicted, such as: Qazim Zogu, Hamdi Gruda, Bajram Dervishi, Abdullah Cakiqi, Isuf Cakiqi, Jakup Biçinca, Smajl Hoxha, Shaqir Hoxha, Idriz Obrija and Milazim Gradica.
– In the years 1949-1953, in Kosovo and in other Albanian countries, many other activists (in groups and separately) were sentenced to hundreds of years of imprisonment, such as: Ramiz Osmani, Shefki Osmani, Nuhi and Musli Osmani, Zylfi Musliu , then Hamdi Gashi, Ramadan Rexha, Raif Halimi-Cërnica, Xhemil Fluku, Mark Gashi, Ramë Sejdia, Rexhep Dajkoci, Bajram Alija, Rexhep Presheva, Ali Aliu – Presheva, Adem Elshani, Fazli Bega, Kadri Halimi (ethnologist), Qamil Luzha , Rexhep Balidemaj (soldier from Martinaj i Gusişe), Mulla Zekë Berdynaj, Omer Qerkezi, Rexhep Rifati, Brahim Gashi, Haxhi Sylejmani, Bajram Zuka, Xhemë Lah Gashi… and hundreds of others and to illuminate their national activity a study is required special.
– Yes, in 1953, a group of LNDSH members from Llapi were imprisoned and (according to the indictment K.nr. 76/53), sentenced: Sabit Kapiti-teacher of the Gymnasium in Besiana (former Podujevë), Ibrahim Demolli, Xhafer Meta, Nexhmi Sejdiu, Fetah Babatinca, Jusuf Humolli, Shaban Zhjeqi, Shaban Shala, Nuhi Gashi and Isuf Ismaili. The patriot Shaban Shala, drowned by the torture of the UDB.
– During the infamous Action for the collection of weapons (1955-1956), a judicial process was organized in Prizren, against Njazi Maloku, etc. In fact, the “Process of Prizren” was preceded by another political process (July 1955), the so-called “Group of Shehlers”, of 14 people, who were accused of connection with the Albanian Committee in Rome and of cooperation with the Albanian State Security. In this process were involved: Sheh Myhedini, Sheh Rama, Sheh Hasani (who died under enigmatic circumstances), Qazim Gojani, Hysen Prushi, Din Zhubi, Bekë Haxhija, Hajredin Vučiterna, Muhedin Miftari, Dërgut Ekremi, Sinan Dërguti, Qazim Miftari, etc.
In the Prizren process, thanks to the indictment compiled by the Public Prosecutor, Radoslav Cerovcanin, based entirely on the assembly of “facts” by the UDB, on July 12-19, 1956 (in secret from the public), the process was held judicial in the District Court in Prizren, and in this case, the following were sentenced: Njazi Maloku, with 12 years of heavy prison; Sedat Dida was sentenced to 5 years in prison; Shani Hoxha, with 4 years of heavy prison; Demush Cahani, with 5 years of heavy prison; Ibrahim Moni, with 3 years of heavy prison; Rexhep Muhadri, with 2 years of heavy prison; Hasan Bajrami, with 2 years of heavy prison; Muhamet Emini, with 2 years of heavy prison and Sali Mehmeti (Meta), with 9 months of heavy prison.
– For patriotic activities, against the Titist regime, in 1955 in Tetovo, the teacher Mehmet Gega, Muharrem Jusufi and Abdulla Kalishta were sentenced to 10 years in prison each. In 1956, several other intellectuals from Tetova and Gostivari were sentenced to heavy prison terms.
– In 1957, 8 members of the LNDSH in Pristina were sentenced: Rexhep Latif Abdullahu, Qemal Novokazi, Shemsi Perani, Rexhep Parteshi, Ibrahim Galimuna, Islam Mumxhiu, Vehbi Ruva and Kadër Deva. All of them are sentenced to 2-12 years in prison, with the exception of Islam Mumxhi, who is released.
– This year, the second group of 9 members, from Prishtina: Nusret Novokazi, Rashid Krasniqi, Osman Krasniqi, Emina Krasniqi, Nikë Kajtazi, Ibrahim Binaku, Fehmi Henci, Neki Shehu and Mazllum Novokazi, were imprisoned and sentenced.
– In the wake of the persecution of the LNDSH patriots, a group of 14 members from Tetova, Gostivari, Dibra and Ohrid were imprisoned and sentenced in Skopje: Raif Malaziu, Sherafedin Agai, Adnan Agai, Abaz Dukagjini, Burhan Pasholli, Abdurrahman Taravari, Remzi Pustina, Eshref Hoxha, Naxhi Purde, Abdylaziz Taravari, Mevaip Purde, Rifat Palloshi, Hadi Imami and Zeqir Lisi.
In 1957, after the action of the weapons, when the number of displaced Albanians intensified, Metush Krasniqi, as the leader of the organization “Revolutionary Party for the Union of Albanian Lands with the Mother State”, together with other activists of this organization, through concrete actions, distribution of tracts and direct conversations with hundreds of Albanian families, managed to stop the migration from their ancestral lands.
At the end of 1958, the UDB traces the activity of this organization and on this occasion Metush Krasniqi was arrested with some of his accomplices. After four months of investigations, from March 1-7, 1959, at the District Court in Gjilan, the trial of 6 members of the “Revolutionary Party…” was held! The jury consisted of: Ratomir Patërnogić-chairman, Mustafa Hoxha-judge, Vehbi Mehmeti, Sejfë Sherifi and Tuna Tomiqi – members, while the indictment was represented by Tahir Ibrani – prosecutor of the District Court in Gjilan.
On the basis of the “evidence” brought out during the investigation and the accusations of the prosecutor, Tahir Ibrani, on March 7, 1959, the jury of five, in “the name of the people”, sentenced: Metush Krasniqi, to 18 years in prison; Mark Gashi and Sejdi Kryeziu, each with 10 years of heavy imprisonment; Mehmet Nuredin Dermakun, with 2 years of heavy prison; Qemajl Kallaba and Mehmet Ajeti, each with one and a half years in prison. (Act-judgment K. no. 19/59, March 7, 1959). Memorie.al
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