From VELI HAKLAJ
Part Four
Memorie.al / The anti-communist activity in Albania in 1946 and the ways in which the State Security pursued the opponents of the communist regime will be at the center of the dossier that begins today. Through archival documents, we will have a truthful presentation of the situation after the liberation of the country. The denunciation of the national Mukje Agreement (August 1-2, 1943) by the leaders of the Albanian Communist Party, under the dictation of the Yugoslav tutors Miladin Popović and Dušan Mugoša, was accompanied by the intensification of the partisan formations’ combat actions against non-communist political groupings and military formations, with a clear objective: seizing power and establishing their rule in Albania. This confrontation, which gradually took on the features of a civil war, became bloody and had manifold consequences in the second half of 1944.
Continued from the previous issue
Albanians who fled to Greece, “Sillogu’s agents and smugglers”
- Activity of the Greek espionage agency
In this district, according to the report we are referring to, the greatest work against the communist regime was done by the Greek espionage agency. The State Security organs had repeatedly struck against these elements, but the report noted that they had and continued to have bases. This was because the Greek agency found the support of the minority element. The latter had an old espionage network, through which it had touched their national sentiments. What had also influenced considerably was Albania’s (weak) position in the international arena.
The main anti-communist activity in the district of Gjirokastra had been carried out by those who had fled to Greece, who had become agents of Sillogu (likely Greek intelligence or a specific handler) and smugglers. The latter, in order to practice their profession more freely, had entered the service of the Greek agency. Both the fugitives and the smugglers, for the most part, had worked as couriers, bringing propaganda materials such as newspapers, leaflets, etc. The Greek agency had tried to establish an organization in this district, and later to create a movement, however small, merely to find a pretext for an armed intervention.
But this organization had been halted by the arrests carried out by the State Security organs. Despite the blow dealt at the beginning of 1946 against the Greek spy network, it was found that various other networks had been uncovered afterwards.
The report highlights the fact that in April 1946; a group of agents had been uncovered, which had been set up by Colonel Predy, a UNRA missionary. This group consisted of Azbi P., Aqif H., Banush D., Idris M., Dilaver Q., Mihal Ll., Harallamp P., and Klimi M. The group was established by Azbi P. based on instructions received from Colonel Predy.
Colonel Predy’s instructions were:
– To gather information on the organization of the state power. How are civil servants treated? What is the army like from a political and economic point of view? What propaganda is being done by the Front (National Liberation Front)? How UNRRA aids are distributed and are there any elements dissatisfied with the regime?
– How they should work. To carry out anti-Soviet propaganda, to propagandize within the army to defect to Greece, to propagandize among the people for a Western-type democracy, etc. To gather information and carry out propaganda, as a first point they raised the need to establish a network and increase their ranks. Thus, Azbi P. set up an intelligence network divided into three sectors: First, Papajan D., based in Çukë, Mihal K. based in Dhivër, and Tobi M. in Delvinë. For Saranda, Azbi P. and Dilaver Q.
Of these three sectors, the one that had worked the most was Tovi M.; Papajan D. had been linked to Sillogu of Corfu and was arrested on March 5, 1946, with the network uncovered at the beginning of the year, while Mihal K. had provided no information and had not met with Azbi P. at all, even though he admitted to it. In their activity, this group had held several meetings, spread slogans both among the people and in the army, provided political, military, and economic information to UNRRA representatives, had contacts with the Englishmen J. H. Halsadet, F. Gerson, Robertson, Kroni, M. A. Neli, Wrigli, and Péin. The latter had instructed Azbi P. to set up an armed band and had promised him weapons supplies, etc.
For the work they had done, the aforementioned had been rewarded twice by the English with a sum of 50 pounds sterling, which they had divided among themselves. From this group, the following were arrested: Azbi P., Aqif H., Banush D., Idris H., and Dilaver Q.
- Anti-communist activity in the Sub-prefecture of Përmet
In the Sub-prefecture of Përmet, after the arrest of the Vorio-Epirote Committee headed by Father Aleks P., according to the report, the fugitive Miço Zh. organized a second network, composed of: Thimjo Ç., Vasil R., Pandi P., Vasiliqi Zh., Father Minaj, Kolo Z., Aleks A., Lefkothe N., Kristo G., Lazo I., and Ollga G. All were arrested. Among these, those who had served the most were Thimjo Ç., Vasil R., Pandeli P., who were referred to trial. Vasiliqi Zh., the wife of the arrested Miço Zh., was interned. The others were released as they did not appear to be heavily implicated. This network, through the fugitives Miço Zh. and Note Zh., had received propaganda materials from Greece and distributed them. They had provided various information and were rewarded for it.
- Anti-communist activity in Libohovë
In April 1946, a spy network in Pogon, Libohovë, was struck, headed by Thimjo Gj. and Ilia Z. This network had started its activity as early as July 1945, linking up with the port commander of Korofiliqi (Corfu?), Ilia Athanasulla. They had as couriers Aleks P. and Dhimitri K. Aleks P. been killed on November 28, 1945, by border forces while trying to cross the border together with Dhimitri K. The latter, since that time, got scared and no longer served as a courier, so Vasil Dh. began to be used as a courier. From this network, the following were arrested: Thimjo Gj., Ilia Z., Miçi K., Jani K., Pano Ç., Thoma L., Milto P., Kosta K., Dhimitri S., Thana M., Fotini B., Pinello P., and Vasil Dh.
Of these, Thimjo Gj., Ilia Z., and Vasil Dh. were referred to trial, the others were released. In Reza e Zezë (Black Zone) of Libohovë, the network composed of Kosta Evangjelidhi, Petro Noto, Mihal Telo, Nikolla Shkopi, and Maria Leka was arrested. In April 1946, also arrested were Papadhimitri J. from the village of Grazhdan, Stavro K. from the village of Qenurio in Konispol, and Andon Th., who had had contacts with fugitives coming from Greece and through them received propaganda material and sent information on the situation here. They too were referred to trial.
- Anti-communist activity in the Sub-prefecture of Delvinë
From the information available to the State Security organs, it appeared that in Rezoma of Delvinë, a circle of anti-communists was active, having ties with Greek espionage. This circle consisted of: Garufo Ç., Kosta Ç., Mihal K., Ziso B., Stavro P., Thanas T., Miçi Z., Grigor F., and Jorgo D. This circle had had contacts with the fugitives Vasil B., Panajot K., and Nasho K. They had brought propaganda material and money from Greece. The fugitives in Greece had been in contact with the fugitive teacher Lefter G., who had been sent by Greek espionage to the border in Filat, to organize the network inside Albania’s borders. From this circle, the following were arrested: Kosta Ç., Garufo Ç., Mihal K., Ziso B., Stavro P. Of these, Kosta Ç. escaped from the prison of the Delvinë district command, and was seen crossing the border.
On the occasion of the killing of Kiço N. on May 17, 1946, by a unit of fugitives coming from Greece led by Dhimitri M. and Sotir M., 11 persons were arrested as their harborets, suppliers, and informants. This unit had come with the intention of killing Kiço N. and Theodhori M. Both had been partisans, had defected to Greece and become their couriers, but later repented of the work they did in favor of the Greek agency and contacted the State Security organs. They were unable to kill Theodhori M. because they did not find him. Of those arrested, Vasil M., Thoma D., and Theodhori M. were referred to trial. Fotini and Dhespo M. were interned, the others were released.
On July 7, 1946, the fugitive Filip P. was captured, wounded in a skirmish with State Security forces, where Sotir M. and Vangjel K. (both fugitives) were killed. This armed group consisted of: Filip P., Vangjelo K., Sotir M., Jani K., and Pavllo M. The last two managed to escape. This armed group had been sent from Greece by Lieutenant Colonel Miltiadh Muzaqitis, to bring propaganda material and gather information about military movements, etc. From the depositions of Filip P., dating back to April 1945, it appears that he had been put in the service of Greek espionage.
He had come five times to Albania, and from his depositions, a number of persons emerged who had been in the service of Greek espionage and had been a base for fugitives coming from Greece. Of these persons, most had already been arrested in the January 1946 trial, and from those not yet arrested but appearing heavily implicated, the following were arrested: Vangjel K., Llambi K., Mustafa D., Dhimo P., Pando G., Anastas P., and from the depositions of Vangjel and Llambi Ll., Vangjel N. was arrested. At the time the report was being compiled, their trial was ongoing.
- The anti-communists of Konispol – Rexho Plaku’s group
During July 1946, from information the State Security had, it appeared that a group led by Rexho Plaku was being prepared to flee to Greece. Rexho Plaku had been affected by the Agrarian Reform. As early as 1945, he had tried to gather some of the landowners of Konispol and send a petition to the government to postpone the implementation of the Agrarian Reform. Rexho Plaku, together with Alush Plaku, Shuaip Rushiti, and Petrit Taka, tried through their propaganda to convince all landowners affected by the Agrarian Reform and their loyalists to flee to Greece.
The members of this group were: Rexho Plaku, Alush Plaku, Beqo Plaku, Shuaip Rushiti, Jaho Faiku, Rexhep Brahimi, Ismail Taka, Dilaver Taka, Isuf Ibrahimi, Mustafa Tahir Kurani, Safet Myterisi, Petrit Taka, Rushan Mullaj, Skënder Taka, Hasan Plaku – all from Konispol. Also in this group were these persons: Sabri Hamzarai from Markat, Safet Dajlani from Shales, Isuf Ymeri from Peja in Kosovo, resident in Nimet, Pilo Loli from Çifliku, Rexhep Bajrami from Vergo, and Haxhi Slokoshi from Konispol. They had spread various slogans among the people, especially regarding Greek claims, presenting that Korça and Gjirokastra would be taken by the Greeks.
They had presented the war between Albania and Greece as inevitable and regarding this they had said: “it is better to flee to Greece.” Based on data obtained from some previously arrested persons, Rexho Plaku, Pilo Loli, and Shuaip Rushiti had met in November 1945 at a place called Pagaj in Konispol with Lieutenant Colonel Miltiadh Muzaqitis, to whom they had promised that they would propagandize among the people of Konispol to flee to Greece.
The aforementioned had not admitted to these depositions, which appeared to be fabricated. From this circle, the following were arrested by the State Security organs and referred to the military court: Rexho Plaku, Beqo Plaku, Petrit Taka, Dilaver Taka, Halil Dine, Shuaip Rushiti, Mustafa Kurani, Sabri Hamzarai, Rexhep Ismaili, Isuf Ymeri, Pilo Loli, and Shyqyrana Sejko.
- The anti-communists of Kurvelesh
On June 30, 1946, Feride K. was arrested, who was carrying a rifle during the day, in the middle of the market, under her cloak. From the data available to the State Security, it appeared that a group had prepared an assassination attempt against Colonel Shefqet P. At the head of this group stood Azis Q. from Golemi i Kurveleshit, a close friend of Ismail G., and Hava G., Ismail’s wife. The assassination was to be carried out by Feride K., to whom Hava had promised a sum of money. In this group, besides those mentioned, were Xhemil K., Bajram G., and Maliq Sh. Some of them had gathered one night at Azis Q.’s sheepfold, where they discussed the situation and propagandized strongly against the regime. This assassination had been prepared for revenge against Ismail G., as they considered Colonel Shefqet P. to be the cause of his death (Ismail G.’s death). All of the above were arrested and referred to trial.
- Anti-communist activity in the Sub-prefecture of Saranda
Despite the arrests made in January 1945 against the circle active in Saranda, and the arrest of Azbi P.’s circle, the State Security organs found that another wide circle had remained, which had continued its work without interruption. This circle was uncovered with the arrest of Grigor G. in August 1946, who had been the liaison and most trusted courier of this circle. He was linked to the fugitive Dhimitri M. Then some of the most important persons of this circle were arrested, such as Harallamp and Aleks P., Sokrat M., Vito D., etc. From the information gathered by Security structures, it appeared that this anti-communist circle had started its activity as early as April 1945.
The main elements of this circle were: Sokrat N., Aleks P., Vaso Gj., Mihal Ll., Kristo Gj., Vasil Ll., Jani D., Jani Zh., Perikli Z., Spiro M., Themistokli M., Koço D., Vasil Gj., Janaq B., Lako N., Jorgo Zh., Thoma P., Piro Z., Miço Ll., Taqi Th. Gj., Mitro Q., etc. This circle was quite wide and its members had contacts through Dhimitri M. with Corfu, held regular meetings, provided political, military, and economic information, tried to propagandize within the army to defect, received tracts and newspapers, and on the occasion of December 2, 1945, tried to sabotage the elections. For the work they did, they were rewarded by Greek agents.
According to the report, various members of this circle held meetings at the homes of Mihal Ll., Vaso Gj., at the shop of Sokrat N., and in several other places. In the meetings held before December 2, 1945, they set as a task to propagandize among the people for abstention and regarding various reforms, calling them unjust. In the meetings held during 1946, they had discussed the international situation and concluded that Korça and Gjirokastra would soon be annexed by Greece; thus they set as their task to work as much as possible. Members of this circle also had contacts with other places through Vito D. They connected in Vlorë with Vangjel Q.
From him they had received various information and sent mail that had come from Corfu. He had distributed these in Vlorë. From the data administered, it appeared that in Vlorë, Vangjel Q. had a circle of 10-12 persons. The circle of those implicated in Saranda also had contacts with Gjirokastra through Miho Gj., to whom they sent mail and from whom they received mail via the courier Miço Zh. They had contacts with Delvinë through Taq P. and Stavro K., to whom they sent and received mail. They also had contacts with a circle in the village of Nivicë – Bubar, which consisted of Spiro P., Vaso M., Vaso P., Stefan K., Foto P., Kiço P., Mitro F., Misto Th., and Spiro K. They connected in Saranda with Sokrat N.
From the information gathered by Security structures, it appeared that also in the village of Aliko, Saranda, a circle of regime opponents was active, composed of Thimjo M., Ilia M., Nasho K., and Koci P. These were identified as remaining members of the Vorio-Epirote Council, which had been struck in January 1946, headed by Vangjel Z., Çavo P. This circle, like all the others, had distributed Greek newspapers and given information to Dhimitri M. Some members of this circle had also been part of Azbi P.’s group, such as Aleks and Harallamp P., Sokrat N., and at the same time they also contacted English agents.
This whole circle of regime opponents had as couriers and liaisons with the fugitives: Grigor G., Miço Ç., Kiço T., Mitro F., Miho S., Marko N., Jorgji Gj., Kosta K., Miho L., and Vasil T. From this circle, those arrested in the first trial were: Pavllo Ll., Mihal Ll., Kristo Gj., Miço Q., and Thanas T. At the time of the report’s drafting, this trial was ongoing and up to that time the following had been arrested: Thanas Z., Piro Z., Foto P., Dhimitri Ç., Vito D., Sokrat N., Mitro F., Miho L., Gjike S., Harallamp F., Aleks P., Kosta K., Grigor G., Ilo N., Jorgji G., Janaq B., Koço T., Vasil T., Spiro R., Vaso G., Vasil L., Stavro K., Jorgo N., and Taqi P. Of these, Spiro N. and Stavro K. had died in prison.
The report emphasized that, besides these circles that had been struck, in the District of Gjirokastra there were many other circles of opponents of the communist regime, but the State Security organs did not yet have clear knowledge of their activity. These circles were:
– The circle of Peshkëpia, Libohovë, composed of: Anastas Gramatikoi, Aleks Noti, Vangjel Tasho, Kosta Papa, Nikolla Guda, Dhimitër Seloti, Miho Margariti, Jorgo Seloti, Aristith Pilafi, and Jorgji Mandi, all from Peshkëpia. Some of these elements were part of the circle uncovered in Reza e Zezë.
– The circle of Lovina, Libohovë, composed of: Spiro Merxhani, Kosta Merxhani, Miho and Kristo Paguna, Pando Shoni, Andon Filipi, Kristo Strati, Vangjel Danga, Mitro Danga, Ilia Demi, and Llambi Beka.
– The circle of Pepel, Libohovë, composed of: Aleks Gjoka, Aleks Varezi, Theodhor Gjoka, Jorgo Zhanga, and they had as a courier Jorgo Gogoni.
In conclusion, the report prepared by the State Security headquarters emphasized that in the district of Gjirokastra, besides the circles mentioned, there were also a number of other circles not yet struck, which they would note in the next report, as they did not have extensive knowledge about them. / Memorie.al
