“The Urbanization Commission has decided on their expulsion from Tirana, sending them back to their home regions—but be cautious, as…”/ Document from the Executive Committee of Tirana, listing the 500 individuals slated for internment, October 1946

By Kastriot Dervishi   

Memorie.al / Among the glaring crimes of the communists in the early days of their rule—though observed in later years as well—was the process of “cleansing” cities of “reactionaries.” This political and predatory process, always accompanied by forced evictions from homes, was one of the simplest tools for striking at the old ruling classes and creating, in Tirana and other cities, a new social stratum loyal to the regime. The layer expelled from Tirana through “urbanization decrees” consisted of those who had built the Albanian state up to that point. 

The General Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mihal Prifti, notified all ministries, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Planning Commission, the State Control Commission, Radio Tirana’s Directorate, the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, the Red Cross Center, the secretariats of the Democratic Front, the Albanian Popular Youth, the Albanian Antifascist Women’s Union, and the General Trade Union of Albania regarding the ban on employing “elements to be expelled from Tirana.”

In a letter dated November 7, 1946, it stated:

“Given that many individuals designated for expulsion from Tirana are seeking employment in order to remain, we hereby forward the list of families whom the Urbanization Regulation Commission—under the Executive Committee of the Tirana Prefecture, Decision No. 2, dated October 21, 1946—has ordered to be expelled from Tirana and returned to their places of origin. You are instructed to ensure that no member of these families is employed by your institutions.

Before hiring any individual, verify that their name (or their family’s name) does not appear on the attached list. Furthermore, you must inform all subordinate entities under your authority of this directive.

Violations will hold you personally accountable.”

List from Decision No. 2, dated October 21, 1946

1 – Dhimitër Kacimbra, 2 persona
2 – Qirjako Dilo, 6
3 – Familja Ndue Pali, 7
4 – Muhamet Karagjozi, 5
5 – Familja e Jonuz Shijakut, 9
6 – Qani Sevrani, 3
7 – Spiro Koço, 3
8 – Familja Munir Halimi, 4
9 – Familja Fuat Halimi, 4
10 – Hajdar Starova, 7
11 – Menduh Vrioni, 7
12 – Familja Muntaz Vrioni, 4
13 – Qemal Karagjozi, 5
14 – Nurxhet Karagjozi, 5
15 – Sami Karagjozi, 3
16 – Pertef Karagjozi, 4
17 – Urani Koxhomani, 3
18 – Familja e Bilal Nivicës, 3
19 – Hasan Alizoti, 5
20 – Familja Xhafer Shkëmbi, 5
21 – Vasil Avrami, 5
22 – Safet Libohova, 8
23 – Ifet Vila, 1
24 – Hysni Peja, 4
25 – Tushe Maloku, 2
26 – Niazi Çaço, 3
27 – Sadet Rusi, 4
28 – Koço Zako, 5
29 – Jovan Dimitresku, 6
30 – Fehim Leskoviku, 3
31 – Qamile Hajro, 1
32 – Sajde Shehu, 3
33 – Familja Bashkim Coberi, 5
34 – Rabije Koculi, 1
35 – Myrvete Koprencka, 2
36 – Zef Shoshi, 2
37 – Marije Rrok Kolaj, 3
38 – Ikbale Zenel Prodani, 7
39 – Abdurrahman Selfo, 6
40 – Nurije Cani, 1
41 – Meleqe Irfan Ohri, 4
42 – Loni Gjika, 3
43 – Aleme Shtino, (?)
44 – Llazar Kume, 7
45 – Muhamet Qibini, 1
46 – Kristika Duka, 4
47 – Fehim Glina, 2
48 – Mediha Poda, 4
49 – Mihane Çarçani, 7
50 – Shahin Poda, 4
51 – Shano Ziso, 5
52 – Muke Vërtiniku, 3
53 – Mark Shani, 1
54 – Hysen Jaupi, 1
55 – Kol Naraçi, 2
56 – Afërdita Sokrat Dodbiba, 1
57 – Drita Xhilaga, 3
58 – Hedije Q.Prodani, 3
59 – Bahri Skënderi, 3
60 – Hilmije Biçaku, 5
61 – Ferit Përmetit, 2
62 – Firdes Mehmet Hurshiti, 8
63 – Ikbal Javer Hurshiti, 3
64 – Familja e Cole Toles, 4
65 – Familja Nikolla Mole, 3,
66 – Qazim Kripa, 9
67 – Abaz Deliallisi, 10
68 – Bajram Beja, 7
69 – Merzije Peshkëpia, 6
70 – Ramiz Kaça, 4
71 – Rasim Sokoli, 6
72 – Aziz Vrioni, 4
73 – Qazim Plasa, 4