By VELI HAKLAJ
“Shuaip Bekteshi maintained the links with anti-communists; he had traveled several times to Debar, meeting with G. Begu and M. Reçi, but the State Security and OZNA…” / The Events of 1945–1946
Memorie.al / According to the report, in the Prefecture of Peshkopi, the work of the regime’s opponents was carried out by specific elements: the elite (pari), former civil servants, officers of King Zog and the occupiers, as well as members of the Legality Organization (Legaliteti). The activities of political opponents in this Prefecture were closely linked to those of the fugitives (të arratisurit). Opposing elements that spread slogans and news were connected to these fugitives, whom they sheltered, supplied, and provided with every convenience. The activity of political opponents in this region always fluctuated according to the military strength displayed by the government. They would decrease their activity when they saw that the forces engaged by the organs of the dictatorship were numerous.
Anti-Communist Action in the Region of Peshkopi
From the analysis of the strikes carried out by the State Security organs during the first two years of the communist regime against suppliers, shelterers, and those facing direct charges of serving the occupier – even if they had fought with arms against partisan formations – it appeared that several organized groups existed in the Peshkopi region.
Anti-Communist Action in the Sub-Prefecture of Zerqan
In the Sub-Prefecture of Zerqan, a group consisting of Mexhit Xhemali, Tefik Balli, Bukurie Muça, Shuaip Bekteshi, Xhevat Xhindra, and Shefqet Balla had been active. This group was established on the initiative of fugitives Mahmut Previzi, Bajazit Previzi, and Shemshi Hatipi, who, in a meeting with Refik Balla (former head of Education in Zerqan), had presented the need for organization and the operational methods of the regime’s opponents, following written instructions received from Mefail Skikuli (a member of the Monarchist Group in Tirana).
The activity of this group began in October 1945, with meetings held almost every week. The top agenda items were the political situation, followed by reports on individual activities and the financial aid collected. Based on the situation analysis and instructions from Tirana, the group established the following tasks:
- To expand the circle with elements opposing the regime.
- To use propaganda to create public opinion that the situation would change.
- To incite blood feuds (hasmëri) among the people and thus strengthen armed groups to serve as military forces.
- To establish Legality councils in the villages.
Members of this group maintained constant contact with fugitives; besides meeting almost all of them personally, they used couriers such as Islam Aliu, Zenel Cani, Arif Bisha, and Mehmet Alitopi. This group supported fugitives with financial and in-kind aid collected from friends and set membership fees. They secured shelters for fugitives and established links with communist opponents in Debar (Great Dibra). Their connections were managed by Shuaip Bekteshi, who traveled to Debar several times to meet Gani Begu and Mehmet Reçi. The State Security had long informed the OZNA (Yugoslav Secret Service) in Debar about these activities.
The goal of this group was identical to all Legality groups: the overthrow of “People’s Power” and the return of Ahmet Zogu to power. By the autumn of 1946, the following members were arrested: Shuaip Bekteshi, Mexhit Xhemali, Tefik Balla, Xhevat Xhindri, Bukurie Muça, Shefqet Balla, Zejnel Cani, Ahmet Alitopi, Ismail Aliu, and Shaqir Izbiro, all of whom were to be sent to military court.
Anti-Communist Action in the Sub-Prefecture of Burrel
The Legality Group
In the Sub-Prefecture of Burrel, in January 1946, State Security organs struck a group composed of members of the Old Legality Committee. Some members of this committee had ceased their anti-regime activity following the arrest of their comrades but later reactivated. Thus, Lieutenant Pal Prendi and Judge Mark Dindi formed their own circle, consisting of: Pal Prendi, Mark Dindi, Ahmet Tufa, Zija Zajma, Fiqiri Uruçi, Ismail Qerimi, Isuf Konica, Xhafer Guni, and Sulejman Xhetani – all individuals dissatisfied with and affected by the communist power and followers of the Legality movement.
This group held meetings in open fields under the guise of taking walks to avoid detection, where they discussed the political situation, concluding that it would change. This group had links with members of the Old Legality Committee of the village of Lis through Pal Prendi, who was connected to Sefedin Hasani.
The Lis Group
The Lis group consisted of: Sef Selmani, Zenel Sadiku, Lam Limaja, Isuf Lima, Safedin Hasani, Shaqir Valteri, and Ramazan Rizi. According to the defendants’ depositions, the first Committee had also established several Legality Councils in the following villages: Kurdari, headed by Sul Bazi (a lieutenant during Zog’s time and the fascist occupation) and Murat Allamani; the village of Patin, headed by Mazar Çela; and the village of Fulqet, headed by Avdulla Imeri (an officer during Zog’s time and the fascist occupation).
They had constant links with and provided shelter to fugitives. The Lis group’s liaisons with the fugitives were Shaqir Valteri and Pal Prendi, the latter having received a letter from Mark Gjon Marku. The group followed the Committee’s line. Recently, they had also propagated the spirit of blood feuds, which resulted in an increase in revenge killings. They expected a change in the situation through foreign intervention, having lost hope in their own forces. State Security arrested: Pal Prendi, Mark Dindi, Sulejman Xhetani, Isuf Konicën, Ismail Qerimin, Sefedin Hasanin, Rifat Valterin, and Isuf Limanin.
The Burrel Group
Shortly before this report was drafted, State Security in Mat prepared a strike against another group in Burrel, led by Kol Doçi. According to the report, this group was in the early stages of its activity and was not very large. They planned to expand the circle by ten to fifteen people and, after preparing some supplies (barna), flee into the mountains (hedhje në arrati).
State Security managed to plant an agent within the group. Consequently, as the members were in the process of fleeing, Kol Doçi, Bardhok Mirdita, and Rrustem Mane were arrested. Among them, Kol Doçi had escaped from the Burrel subsection prison. Their trial was ongoing. By mid-1946, 28 others were arrested in Mat, accused of being war criminals, shelterers, and suppliers of fugitives. Additionally, Taf Bata and Shaqir Vata were slated for arrest due to fears they might flee. In the early autumn of 1946, Muharrem Hoxha, Ibrahim Ferra, Jashar Gushi, Xhafer Dauti, Faik Toçi, and one soldier were also arrested.
The data analysis showed that in the Prefecture of Peshkopi, many civil servants from previous regimes were implicated in opposition activities. This was because they were dissatisfied with their current positions, claiming higher roles, and because younger elements emerging from the war held hierarchy over them. Therefore, the report advised a “purge” of the power apparatus, especially in the Sub-Prefecture of Burrel, where Zogist elements had been employed.
Anti-Communist Action in the Region of Elbasan
In the Prefecture of Elbasan, several intellectuals with Zogist tendencies and a circle of young students were identified as prominent opponents. By the autumn of 1946, most political opponents in this region had been struck and dispersed, but the “Intellectuals’ Circle” and the “Youth Circle” remained active.
The Intellectuals’ Circle
This circle consisted of: Mahmut Maçi, Baba Musta, Sul Harri, Fadil Gurmari, Mustafa Muzhaqi, Qamil Xhani, Mëhill Gusha, and Hasan Zajmi. This was an old circle identified with Zogist tendencies. Their activity was limited to spreading slogans and holding meetings where they commented on news from Radio London. This circle was most active from December 1945 to February 1946.
Following the arrests of members of “Bashkimi Shqiptar” (Albanian Union) in Shkodër, the arrests in the Tirana Trial, and specifically the arrest of Qamil Xhaja and the dismissal of Hasan Zajmi, members were deeply shaken. They feared arrest, knowing they were recognized as opponents of the regime. From that time on, they reduced their meetings and no longer gathered in cafes. During the Peace Conference, members were seen spreading occasional slogans but remained reserved.
The Youth Circle
In mid-1946, tracts were distributed twice in Elbasan—one signed by the “Albanian Action Organization” and the other by “The Nationalists.” These tracts insulted the government, the leaders, and especially the Communist Party. They depicted the regime as a communist dictatorship sold out to the Yugoslavs and Russians. Experts suggested the tracts were authored by high school students. Suspicion fell on the “Youth Circle,” leading to the arrest of Apostol Gega.
Later, the circle’s anti-communist activity was documented. It was quite broad and had begun in early 1945. Some members had been arrested in 1945 but released for lack of evidence. While not yet fully structured, depositions indicated they were moving toward an organization of “groups of three.” Their work involved spreading slogans and attempting to sabotage the work of BRASH (Anti-Fascist Youth Union of Albania) in schools and rallies.
The members of the “Youth Circle” included: Apostol Gega, Hasan Graçeni, Ferit Voci, Misir Voci, Viktor Zylfi, Nazmi Fagu, Muharrem Qafzezi, Tahsim Çiftja, Ahmet Kurti, Hyqmet Bumçi, Qemal Zajmi, Ferit Baholli, Maksim Bungo, Naim Çeraga, Halit Delimeti, Ismail Shyti, Mustafa Elezi, Didid Biçaku, Sul Elezi, Mustafa Gani, and others. Most were students from classes hit by the regime’s reforms. The most active members – including Apostol Gega, Zija Dylgjeri, and others – were arrested. Selim Çeka, a former UNRRA employee who had links to both the Youth and Intellectual circles, was also arrested.
Anti-Communist Action in the Sub-Prefecture of Peqin
In January 1946, it was documented that Kaliroi Noçka, Hatixhe Kadiu, Hartemi Hoxha Hoxhogoli, Kadrie Elezi, and several other women had held meetings, though further information on their involvement was lacking. Reports highlighted that Kaliroi Noçka collaborated with Apostol Gega. Opposition in Peqin mainly involved the continuous spreading of slogans by dissatisfied elites and those affected by the Agrarian Reform. Despite the arrests in Elbasan, the individuals who distributed the tracts remained undiscovered, leading to the conclusion that another very tight-knit circle was active./Memorie.al
