Written by Sheradin Berisha. Translated by Petrit Latifi.

In June 1948, after the aggravation of political relations between Belgrade and Moscow, the Communist Party of Yugoslavia was expelled from the organization of the parties of the communist states “Informbyro” and on this occasion the relations of the USSR and its allies with the Yugoslavia of AVNOJ were broken. In this situation, Albania sided with the organization: informbureau, and its remaining in pro-Soviet positions caused it to break the “good” relations it had with the RFPJ since 1945.

Although during the period 1945-1948 the position of the Albanians in Kosovo and other ethnic areas was very difficult, the breakdown of Yugoslavia-Albania relations only further aggravated the deterioration of their position. The Yugoslav regime led by the Tito-Ranković binomial, taking advantage of this situation, reactivated the anti-Albanian projects of Vasa Ćubrillović (of March 1937 and early November 1944) for the annihilation, assimilation or forced displacement of Albanians from their ethnic lands.

This anti-Albanian state policy, which had begun before the Second World War (1944) had even ended, took on new genocidal dimensions during this period. In 1948 alone, the communist regime arrested and tried 306 Albanians, accused of crimes against the state. (1)

After Albania was designated as an “inform bureau”, the Tito-Ranković regime designated all Albanian cadres in Kosovo, who were considered enemies of Yugoslavia, as “inform bureau members”. The notorious OZNA/UDB, through its Albanian-speaking collaborators, had over time created a special file, putting around 120,000 Albanians under surveillance.

The UDB had also opened such a file for Xheladin Shyqyri Hana, the first fighter against Nazi-fascism, former member of the KNCK, one of the co-authors of the drafting of the basic documents of the Bujan Conference and recently director of the newspaper “Rilindja”. The patriot Xheladin Hana was secretly arrested, allegedly being sent on duty somewhere, while within the walls of the OZN/UDB he was pressured to betray his ideal collaborators. (2)

However, Xheladin Hana did not bow down for a moment to the pressures and inhuman torture of the UDB criminals. Since Xheladin withstood the cruel torture, the executioners of Tito-Ranković, on 15.12.1948, cruelly ended his life. On April 15, 1949, the deputy prime minister of Macedonia, Nexhat Agolli, was arrested from Dibra e Madhe and two weeks later (exactly on the night of April 27-28, 1949) he was killed by the cruel torture of the UDB.

While the persecution and the number of persecuted Albanians increased mercilessly throughout the ethnic Albanian areas, unjustly remaining outside the borders of London Albania, in May 1949, a military-police expedition led by the UDB members: Çedo Topallović and Çedo Mijović, aimed to arrest the Chairman of the Provincial Popular Front: Rifat Latif Berisha, from the village of Beriše, known for his wisdom and national resistance (3), but at that moment they failed to capture Rifat.

(Rifat Berisha 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 LDB, Kosovo would join Albania. For this, Rifat was also targeted by the OZN / UDB.).

Rifat Berisha, since he refused to fall into the hands of Tito’s bloody regime, chose resistance until death. In this situation, Rifat was joined by other comrades-in-arms. The unit consisted of six people, all of them sons of the Berisha family: the brothers Rifat, Mustafa and Islam Berisha, Brahim Berisha, the son of Islam and Halit, and Jahir Berisha, their first cousins. This unit led by Rifat, on May 17, 1949, found itself treacherously surrounded in the village of Gajrak by the owner of the house Ismail Gajraku (where he had taken refuge).

A document states that Rifat Berisha and his comrades “fought for a whole day. At 10 o’clock at night, Rifat and his unit attacked the triple siege of the Udbash, but after breaking through the first two sieges, he was killed.” During this bloody battle, Rifat Berisha was killed along with three comrades: Islam, Mustafa and Brahim Berisha, while Halit and Jahir Berisha, although bloodied, managed to escape the siege and escaped death. (4)

In the freezing winter of 1950 in the border area with Albania, the patriot Sabaudin Gjura from Shipkovica, Tetovo, was killed. (5) A similar fate befell Isuf Torozi from Dibra e Madhe, a member of the Party Committee in Dibra. Torozi was arrested by the UDB organs in 1949, as a man with nationalist views, and Tito’s UDB mercilessly tortured him to death. In March 1949, Cenë Shyqriu from Gjakova was arrested and then disappeared without a trace.

In the first years after the end of World War II, in Kosovo and other areas During the Albanian ethnic group under the occupation of Yugoslavia, it is estimated that the Tito regime liquidated around 49,000 Albanians. In Kosovo, 28,400 Albanians were liquidated in various ways; in the Albanian areas of Macedonia, 7,000 Albanians; in the Albanian areas of Montenegro, 8,300 Albanians; while another 5,000 Albanians were liquidated in other areas, as hostages by the OZN or UDB. (6)

In these circumstances, in order to escape persecution, imprisonment and physical liquidations, many Albanians were forced to flee their ancestral lands.

It is well known that the years 1949-1966, known as the “Ranković period”, 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 LNDSH activity by various groups with other names, the “informbureaurists”, the organization of groups from the Albanian Security, the opposition to the “Otkupi” requirements, the opposition to the assimilation of Albanians into Turkish and the fight against the Tito-Kyprili gentlemen’s agreement of 1953 for the relocation of Albanians to Turkey, the fight against collectivization in various forms, etc.

The OZN, respectively 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 the same Court, the Drenica group consisting of 6 members of the Movement, such as: Hasan Jashari-Likoci, Mehë Zeqiri, Dan Zeqiri, Qerim Rrypi, Halim Rrypi and Sylë Berisha, was also convicted. (7)

– During 1950, several groups of the LNDSH and other activists who opposed the “Otkupi” requisitions and discriminatory actions against Albanians in every area of ​​life were also sentenced.

– On November 3, 1950, at the District Court in Prishtina, by the Tupi Panel, judge: Arif Korapi, president of the panel, and by the lay judges: Ali Abdullahu and Ismail Xhemaili, as well as the registrar 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 were sentenced:

Konstandin Vasilaca – Skënder Skënder, an officer of the Albanian army, to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment; Xhemë Latë Sadriu, to 8 years of rigorous imprisonment; Hajrullah Gorani, with 6 years of hard labor; Hamdi Devolli, with 8 years of hard labor; Rashit Gorani, with 8 years of hard labor; Ramë Geca, with 3 years of hard labor; Ymer Fazliu, with 2 years of hard labor. (8)

– In February 1950, the LNDSH group “Prizren League” formed in the second half of 1949 was imprisoned. This trial was held in Prishtina under the chairmanship of judge Shukri Begić from Pazar i Ri. On this occasion, the following were sentenced:

Shaban Derguti and Mustafa Nixha with 20 years of hard labor each, Shaban Mazreku and Hafez Jakupi also with 20 years of hard labor each, Bitër Dehalla, Tomë Mjeda and Zekë Bajraktari with 17 years of hard labor each, Nezir Hoti with 15 years of hard labor and Ismet Dehiri with 3 years of hard labor.

– In the second group of the LNDSH “League of Prizren” are sentenced:

Arif Hoxha to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment, while the following are sentenced to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment each: 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. (9)

– In the first 6 months of 1950, for sabotaging the collection of “Otkupi” props and on charges of being collaborators with the Albanian Security, in Prishtina and Prizren, the following were convicted:

Rizan Bajram Xhoxhaj, from Vërmica in 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, Afil Afezi, Enver Beluli, Gani, Avni and Naim Zajmi, Muhedin Hadri, Halit Qollaku, Bije Vokshi, Lutfi Spahiu and Arif Randobrava. (10)

– That same year, the second group of Drenica, consisting of 11 members of the LNDSH, was imprisoned and sentenced in Pristina:

Ibrahim Tahiri, Hysen Hyseni, Sylë Mulliqi, Osman Beqiri with 10 years of hard prison each, Smajl Ferizi and Milazim Hyseni 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 was discovered in prison to be in the 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 Security caught him and handed him over to the UDB in Kosovo!)

– In 1950, the District Court in Peja also sentenced a group of 9 members of the LNDSH: Sylë Mehmeti from Rugova, Sali Kelmendi from Ruhoti, Ali Fetahu from Veriq, Bekë Tafili from Ruhoti, Ramë Bislimi from Nabërxhan, Gani Kastrati from Peja, Salih Hasani and Sylë Shala from Peja, Fatmir Goranci from Gjakova and Ramë Isufi from Lubeniqi… This year, the following were also sentenced: Sami Peja, Ibrahim Berisha, Musa Gjuka, Faik Basha, Qazim and Enver Berisha and many others.

– In 1951, the District Court in Pristina sentenced 11 members of the LNDSH from Mitrovica (arrested in September 1950). 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, the third group of LNDSH from Drenica was convicted in the District Court in Pristina, as follows: Qazim Zogu, Hamdi Gruda, Bajram Dervishi, Abdullah Cakiqi, Isuf Cakiqi, Jakup Biçinca, Smajl Hoxha, Shaqir Hoxha, Idriz Obrija and Milazim Gradica (11).

– In the years 1949-1953 in Kosovo and other Albanian regions, many other activists were sentenced to hundreds of years in prison (in groups and individually) 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 Gusija), Mulla Zekë Berdynaj, Omer Qerkezi, Rexhep Rifati, Brahim Gashi, Haxhi Sylejmani, Bajram Zuka, Xhemë Lah Gashi… and hundreds of others (12) and to shed light on their national activity, a special study is required.

– Also in 1953, a group of LNDSH members from Llapi were imprisoned and (according to indictment K.nr ​​76/53) convicted:

Sabit Kapiti-professor of the Gymnasium in Besiana (formerly Podujevë), Ibrahim Demolli, Xhafer Meta, Nexhmi Sejdiu, Fetah Babatinca, Jusuf Humolli, Shaban Zhjeqi, Shaban Shala, Nuhi Gashi and Isuf Ismaili. The patriot Shaban Shala was suffocated by the torture of the UDB. (13)

– During the infamous Action for the collection of weapons (1955/1956), a trial was organized in Prizren against the group of Njazi Maloku. In fact, the Prizren Trial was preceded by another political trial (July 1955) of the so-called “shekheler group” of 14 people, who were accused of connections with the Albanian Committee in Rome and of collaboration with the Albanian Security. In this process were involved:

Sheh Myhedini, Sheh Rama, Sheh Hasani (who dies under mysterious circumstances), Qazim Gojani, Hysen Prushi, Din Zhubi, Bekë Haxhija, Hajredin Vuçiterna, Muhedin Miftari, Dërgut Ekremi, Sinan Dërguti, Qazim Miftari etc.

In the Prizren process, thanks to the indictment compiled by the Public Prosecutor Radoslav Cerovçanin, based entirely on the assembly of “facts” by the UDB, on 12-19 July 1956 (in secret from the public) the trial was held in the District Court in Prizren, and with this sentence were sentenced:

Njazi Maloku to 12 years of hard prison; Sedat Dida was sentenced to 5 years of hard prison; Shani Hoxha to 4 years of hard prison; Demush Cahani to 5 years of hard prison; Ibrahim Moni to 3 years of hard prison; Rexhep Muhadri with 2 years of hard prison; Hasan Bajrami with 2 years of hard prison; Muhamet Emini with 2 years of hard prison each and Sali Mehmeti (Meta) with 9 months of hard prison. (14)

– For patriotic activities against the Tito regime, in 1955 in Tetovo, teacher Mehmet Gega, Muharrem Jusufi and Abdulla Kalishta were sentenced to 10 years of hard prison each. In 1956, several other intellectuals from Tetovo and Gostivar were sentenced to hard prison.

– In 1957, 8 members of the LNDSH were also sentenced in Prishtina: Rexhep Latif Abdullahu, Qemal Novokazi, Shemsi Perani, Rexhep Parteshi, Ibrahim Galimuna, Islam Mumxhiu, Vehbi Ruva and Kadër Deva. All of them were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2-12 years of hard prison, with the exception of Islam Mumxhiu, who was released.

– This same year, the second group of 9 members from Prishtina was imprisoned and sentenced:

Nusret Novokazi, Rashid Krasniqi, Osman Krasniqi, Emina Krasniqi, Nikë Kajtazi, Ibrahim Binaku, Fehmi Henci, Neki Shehu and Mazllum Novokazi.

– In the wake of the persecution of the patriots of the LNDSH, in Skopje, a group of 14 members from Tetovo, Gostivar, Dibra and Ohrid were imprisoned and sentenced:

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 (15).

In 1957, after the arms campaign, when the number of displaced people intensified, Cypriots, 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 displacement from their ancestral lands.

At the end of 1958, the UDB traced the activity of this organization and on this occasion Metush Krasniqi was arrested with several accomplices. After four months of investigation, from 1-7 March 1959, the trial of 6 members of the “Revolutionary Party…” was held in the District Court in Gjilan.

The panel of judges consisted of: Ratomir Patërnogić – president, 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. Based on the “evidence” obtained during the investigation and the accusations of prosecutor Tahir Ibrani, on March 7, 1959, the panel of five, in the “name of the people”, sentenced:

– Metush Krasniqi, to 18 years of rigorous imprisonment;

– Mark Gashi and Sejdi Kryeziu to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment each;

– Mehmet Nuredin Dermaku to 2 years of rigorous imprisonment;

– Qemajl Kallaba and Mehmet Ajeti to one and a half years of rigorous imprisonment each. (Judgment K.nr.19/59, 7 March 1959) (16)

– On 20 February 1958, the District Court in Peja, with the panel of judges Iso Omeragić, president of the District Court in Peja, by the lay judges: Pavle Armush, Mirko Spasić and Shaqir Zogaj, and the clerk Stojana Vuković, clerk of this court, based on the indictment KTO no.95/57, in the “name of the people” sentenced: Muhamed Brovina to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment, Adem Krasniqi to 7 years of rigorous imprisonment, Gjon Shtufaj to 7 years of rigorous imprisonment, Besnik Koci to 9 years of rigorous imprisonment and Hidë Dobruna to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment. (Judgment K.nr. 149/57) (17)

– On November 19, 1958, for the first time, the UDB imprisoned the patriot Adem Demaçi with the justification that he had “acted hostilely against the state and social order of the RFPJ, and that he was committed to the secession of the territory of Kosovo and its unification with Albania.” The indictment was prepared by the UDB members: M. Mihajllović, Mom(o)çillo Çanović, Vojislav Mihajllović with the testimonies of Albanian witnesses:

Fahredin Gunga, Din Mehmeti, Ali Aliu, Zekereia Cana, etc.(18), and was carried out by the prosecutor Radovan Bullajić and the deputy prosecutor Miroslav Lazarević. And based on the indictment PPQ no.14/59 dated 19.02.1959, in the District Court in Prishtina by the panel of judges Dragutin Kallugjerović and the lay judges: Mehmed Kalaveshi, Riza Voca and Qazim Bajgora, on 17 March 1959 the trial was held against Adem Demaçi, who according to Article 117 paragraph 1 of the LP and according to Article 16, paragraph 1 of the LP, in the “name of the people” was sentenced to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment. (19)

– In February 1959, according to the indictment K.nr.29/59 dated 19.02.1959, in the District Court in Prizren are tried: Aziz Spahiu, Hasan Berisha, Reshat Hadri and Durak Pasuli. (20)

– In the 1950s in Kosovo and other ethnic areas, several illegal political groups also operated, according to the program of the LNDSH, and these were:

1. Vatra Kosovare National-Democratic Albanian Hearth” (VKNDSH);
2. Grupi Demokratika Shqipar Kosova (GDSHK);
3. Grupi Revolucijonar Albanian i Macedonia (GSHRM);
4. Grupi Demokrat-Indepedent Albanian Gruppi i Kosova (GDISHK);
5. Grupi Veteranët e Vjetar Albanian – Resistenca Malësore (GVLSHRM);
6. Grupi Demokratika Shqiptare “IsmaIl Qemali” (SHDSH – “I.Q”);
7. Vardar League – Albanian Democratic Party (LV-BDSH) and
8. Sharr Albanian League (LSHSH) (21)

In the summer of 1960, the LNDSH group “Votra Kosovare Nacional – Demokratike Shqiptare” led by Shahin Voca from Shala e Bajgora was discovered. This organization was founded on August 6, 1952, where it initially carried out its activities in the Mitrovica Gymnasium and the Stantërg school, to spread within a time to Prishtina, Besiana (former Podujeva), Gjilan, Prizren, Skopje and Tetovo, Peja, Burim (former Istog) etc. Within 8 years, “VK-NDSH” organized 387 loyal members within its ranks. On the occasion of the discovery by the UDB, 21 members were arrested and convicted, 4 of them were sentenced in the Military Court of Zagreb. (22)

The District Court in Prishtina and the one in Prizren sentenced “in the name of the people” 17 members of this group such as: Ragip Sadiku, Bajram Gashi, Hasan Rexha, Bislim Fazliu, Muharrem Hyseni, Luz Pacolli, Nuhi Preteni, Bilall Rama, Hilmi Badallaj, Ali Isufi, Rraman Jashari, Ramë Dibrani, Niman Shala, Sinan Sinani, Musli Rexhepi, Ibrahim Metaj and Niman Kajtazi.

Meanwhile in Zagreb on 25. 02. 1961 based on Judgment no.IK 21/60, the military court sentenced: Emin Fazliu to 8 years of hard prison, Baki Dullovi to 2 years and 6 months, Mehmet Trepça to 2 years and Hilmi Ajvaz to 9 months of hard prison. (23)

In the continuation of illegal political organizations and Albanian resistance in general, in the early 1960s three intellectuals were organized of that time: Kadri Halimi, Ali Aliu and Ramadan Hoxha, who in 1952 and 1954 had already experienced the suffering in Goli Otok and other Yugoslav casemates.

These three patriots, feeling in their souls the daily suffering that was inflicted on Albanians outside the borders of London Albania, did not want to sit idly by, so in May 1960, after a series of meetings, they decided to establish an illegal organization, which after expanding in the field, temporarily (until the General Conference was held) they called – “Revolutionary Committee for the Union of Albanian Communities in Yugoslavia with Albania” (KRBTSHJSH) (24)

This organization, after consolidating its ranks and preparing for various actions, in January 1961, the UDB, through Albanian informants, discovered and arrested several members of the organization. The arrests of members of this organization began on January 25, 1961 in Gjilan, Presevo, Ferizaj, Pristina and Skopje. To avoid arrests, two leaders of the organization: Ali Aliu and Ramadan Hoxha spent more than two months in hiding, taking refuge in numerous bases in the villages of Lipjan, Shtime, Suhareka, Gjilan, Presevo and Karadak.

However, in early April 1961, under treasonous circumstances, Aliu Aliu and Ramadan Hoxha were arrested in the village of Maxherë in Karadak and on April 2 they were brought to the Pristina Prison. From this organization, the UDB imprisoned 32 of its members and interrogated and brutally mistreated hundreds of other Albanians.

After conducting investigations, the arrested were sentenced in the district courts in Pristina, Gjilan and Vranje in Serbia. In Pristina, where the trial was held from 14-19.IX.1961 – the presiding judge was Tahir Ibrani, while the prosecutor was Ramo Vodopić, a Muslim from Montenegro. The trial was held on the same days as the Founding Conference of Non-Aligned States was in session in Belgrade. In these trials, the following were sentenced:

Kadri Halimi – 7 years and 6 months of heavy prison, Ali Aliu – 8 years, Ramadan Hoxha – 8 years, while the following were sentenced to 1-5 years of heavy prison: Hasan Dumani, Zenel Hajrizi, Beqë Heta, Hyrije Hana, sheh Tefik Mustafa, Zeqir Hajrizi, Banush Ademi, Enver Tali, mullah Nuredin Xhemajli, Sadri Imeri, Nuredin Aliu, Haki Agushi, Ali Xhelili, Amir Gashi, Mafak Ahmeti, Ramiz Ahmet – Cernica (delegate of the Prizren Conference-1945, where he strongly opposed the re-occupation of Kosovo by Serbia, my remark), Ilmi Ferizi, Favzi Aliu, Selman Hasani, Ramadan Rexha (former prisoner), Tefik Haxhiu, Jahi Ajeti, Hetem Ajdini, Asllan Marevci, Jetish Depca, Miftar Mustafa, Sabri Marevci, Bajram Kokolari and Zahir Sakipi. (25)

In 1963-64, the symbol of Albanian resistance, Adem Demaçi, formed the “Revolutionary Movement for the Unity of Albanians” (LRBSH) and within its framework, the Pristina, Peja, and Gjakova Committees operated. During this period, the LRBSH had carried out many national activities, but in June 1964, the UDB discovered the activities of this organization and began a fierce campaign of arrests.

After three months of intensive investigations (over 500 Albanians passed through the hands of the UDB), over 80 members of the LRBSH were brought to trial in small groups. The second trial against the founder of the LRBSH, Adem Demaçi, and 11 other defendants was held on 27, 28, 29, and 31 August and 1 September 1964 at the District Court in Pristina.

The panel of judges consisted of the presiding judge Tahir Ibrani, judge Radomir Stojkovic and the jurors: Hazir Haziri, Tefik Shala and Nebih Qena. Meanwhile, the prosecution was represented (through indictment Kto-nr.223/64) by Mirko Matović – public prosecutor of the Pristina district (26)

In this marathon trial in the “name of the people” the following were sentenced:

1. Adem Demaçi – law student, from Pristina, to 15 years of hard labor,
2. Sabit Ratkoceri (1939) – lawyer graduate (Lupç i Poshtëm) to 11 years,
3. Hazir Shala (1934) – teacher of the normal school, (Barilevë) to 13 years,
4. Seladin Daci (1933) “musician at Radio Pristina” (Pristina) to 10 years,
5. Azem Beqiri (1939) – employee of the provincial health protection agency (Pristina) to 10 years,
6. Abdullah (Avdyl) Lahu (1944) – fourth grade student of the Normal School, with 10 years,
7. Ahmet Haxhia (1932) – blacksmith from Prishtina, with 10 years,
8. Xhafer Mamudxhiku (1935) – clerk from Prishtina, with 11 years,
9. Dibran Bajraktari (1939) clerk from Prishtina – with 13 years,
10. Sabri Novosella (1943) – tailor from Prishtina, with 9 years,
11. Tefik Sahiti (1930) – nurse from Prishtina, with 9 years and
12. Njazi Straja (Sarachoglliu) (1933) merchant from Istanbul born in Prishtina, was sentenced to 9 years in prison.

Meanwhile, the following members of the LRBSH were also sentenced to 3-15 years in prison:

1. Adem Rukiqi – Verboc, Gllogovc,
2. Abdyl Shala – Loxhë, Pejë,
3. Arif Hoxha – Mitrovica
4. Arif Ymeri
5. Asim Vula – Gjakova
6. Avni Lama – Gjakova
7. Bahtire Berisha – Prizren
8. Bahtir Duraku
9. Bedrush Çollaku – Prizren
10. Besnik Koci – Gjakova
11. Destan Miftari
12. Din Spahia – Gjakova
13. Ejup Kastrati – Peja
14. Elhame Shala – Pristina
15. Emina Rakovica – Pristina
16. Enver Gerguri
17. Enver Mehmeti
18. Fazli Grajçevci – Tankoc
19. Fehmi Elmazi – Gjilan
20. Ferat Ymeri
21. Gani Msutafa
22. Haki Bejta
23. Haki Gashi
24. Hamdi Obertica – Fushë Kosovë
25. Hilmi Rakovica – Pristina
26. Hyda Dobruna – Gjakova
27. hysen Bukoshi – Prizren
28. Hysen DAci Mitrovica
29. Ibrahim Stublla
30. Ismet Koshutova – Mitrovica
31. Isuf Istrefaj
32. Isuf Isufi – Mavriq
33. Kadri Kusari – Gjakova
34. Myrteza Nura – Gjakova
35. Mustafa Venehari – Mitrovica
36. Nezir Gashi – Labjan – Peja
37. Nimon Podrimja – Caralluk, Istog
38. Mejreme Berisha – Pristina
39. Osman Berisha – Puzovfc
40. Qerim Zajmi
41. Ramadan Lahu – Gllamnik
42. Ramadan Shala – Peja
43. Rashit Rusha
44. Rexhep Elmazi – Gjilan
45. Rexhep Shala – Loxha, Peja
46. Remzi Baloku
47. Rrustem Morina
48. Sabit Lahu – Gllamnik, Podujeva
49. Sadik Latifi
50. Sahit Sfeqla – Pristina
51. Selatin Novosella – Pristina
52. Selman Berisha – Progofc
53. Sylejman Gashi
54. Sylë Shala – Pejë
55. Shefqet Jashari – Strofc, Vushtërri
56. Shemsi Hoxha
57. Shemsi Rudari
58. Tahir Shala, Krushec, Prishtinë
59. Teki Dervishi – Gjakovë
60. Ukshin Shala – Loxhë, Pejë
61. Vesel Bislimi
62. Vesel Shala – Loxhë, Pejë
63. Vezir Zka – Dobrajë, Prishtinë
64. Ymer Mehmetaj
65. Zeqir Agushi
66. Zeqir Gërvalla – Lupçi i Poshtëm, Podujevë
67. Zeqir Heretica – Lupçi i Poshtëm, Podujevë
68. Zeqir Shala – Loxhë, Pejë (27)

On 27 November 1968, the student group led by Osman Dumoši organized nationwide demonstrations in Prishtinë and several other cities of Kosovo. This group, which acted according to the LRBSH program, was arrested and after four months of investigation, on 2, 3, 4 and 7 April 1969, a trial was held against them at the District Court in Prishtina. The trial included the following panel: Nazmi Juniku – president, with lay judges: Beçir Shehi and Mehmet Sponca, Hysamedin Oruçi as the record keeper, while the Prosecutor was Sahit Meraku delegated from Peja.

This panel of judges – lay judges on 7 April 1969 “in the name of the people” for the “crime – hostile propaganda under Article 118, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code” found these students guilty and sentenced them to 37 years in prison. In this case, the students: Osman Dumoshi, Hasan Dërmaku, Selatin Novosella and Adil Pireva, were sentenced to 5 years in prison each; Skënder Kastrati and Xheladin Rekaliu were sentenced to 4 years in prison each, while Ilaz Pireva, Skënder Muçolli and Afrim Loxha were sentenced to 3 years in prison each. (28)

– For active participation in the Pristina demonstration, the following students were also sentenced: Asllan Kastrati, to 6 months in prison; Sylejman Kastrati to 3 months in prison; Skënder Berisha to 2 months, Bedri Novosella, Sylejman Peposhi and Halil Qosja to 1 month each; while Tefik Qitaku and Ramadan Ramadani (both tailors) were sentenced to 2 months in prison each.

– For the Ferizaj demonstration, the following were sentenced: Ali Mehmeti, a teacher, to 1 year in prison, Ismet Ramadani and Hasan Abazi (both students) to 10 months each; while the following were sentenced to 1 month each: Beqir Qerimi, a student, and the students: Sylejman Bytyqi, Hasan Muhaxheri and Ekrem Beqiri.

– For the Gjilan demonstration, the student: Irfan Shaqiri was sentenced to 1 year in prison, while the following were sentenced to 1 month in prison: Beqir Qerimi, student and students: Rexhep Mala, Fatmir Salihu, Ahmet Hoti.

– Meanwhile, for the Besiana demonstration (formerly Podujeva), the following were sentenced: Hamit Abdullahu (barber) to 1.6 months in prison; Sabit Syla (student) to 1.4 months in prison; Haki Sheholli to 1 year in prison; while the following were sentenced to 1 month in prison: Hasan Sh.Shala and Bahri Shabani, both students. The following teachers were also sentenced to 1 month in prison: Hasan Shala, Xhafer Ejupi, Skënder Hoxha, Shaqir Shala and Selatin Vokrri, as well as Nexhip Ejupi and Abdulla Nishevci, both tailors.

On December 22, 1968, another demonstration was organized in Tetovo. For the Tetovo demonstration, which raised the issue of using the Albanian flag and opening Albanian language classes, 170 Albanians were sentenced, while 54 people were sentenced to over 1 year in prison, not only from Tetovo but also from Skopje, Gostivar, Struga and Kicevo. In the Tetovo and Skopje courts alone, the following were sentenced “for a criminal offense against the state”:

– Mehmet Myrtezani – Gega, teacher, to 7 years in prison;

– Faik Mustafa, student, to 5 years in prison;

– Abdylselam Selami, teacher, to 1.6 months in prison;

– Ramadan Sinani, student, to 2 years;

– Fehmi Rifati, student, to 2 years in prison;

– Abdylmenaf Rystemi, student, to 2 years;

– Hysni Qemal Sherifi, teacher, to 1.6 months;

– Refki Murati, bricklayer, to 2 years;

– Nexhmidin Neziri, teacher with 1.6 months;

– Ibrahim Rudi, student with 3 years;

– Agim Jaka, student with 2.6 months;

– Hysenxhevat Kalaishta, student with 5 months in prison;

– Xhemil Mustafa, student with 5 months;

– Arbër Xhafëri, student with 3 months;

– Agim M.Xhaferi, student with 3 months in prison and many others. (29)

At that time, after the imprisonments in Tetovo, the government Macedonian inist, imprisoned and sentenced many young Albanians, who were not participants in the Tetovo demonstration. In Skopje, Sejdi Kryeziu was sentenced to 5 years in prison, allegedly for making hostile propaganda for the secession of Western Macedonia and its unification with Albania, while Inajet Bariu was sentenced to 1 year, also for hostile propaganda. In Strug, Irfan Vlashi was sentenced to 6 years in prison, for diversion, Tosun Roçi to 4 years in prison, while in Kicevo, the following were sentenced: Syrja Qura, Sali Ramadani, etc.

The Albanian prisoners spent the most difficult years of their imprisonment in the prisons of Idrizovo and Veles in Macedonia; in Niš, in the Belgrade Central Prison, and in Požarevac… in Serbia; in Titograd in Montenegro; of Bileca, Stara Gradiška, Lepogllavë… and especially in the synonym of Dante’s hell on “Goli Otok”, an island in the northeastern Adriatic in Croatia (30).

On this barren and rocky island, Albanian prisoners and not only, experienced Golgotha, the most terrible days of their lives. The accounts of many Albanian prisoners who went through the hell of Goli Otok testify to a savage and cruel treatment, unrepeatable in the history of humanity.

The goal was clear: not only physical damage, but also the complete spiritual destruction and destruction of each prisoner. There, prisoners were beaten among themselves (old prisoners beat the new prisoners who came to this infamous camp to the point of fainting and death).

After the hard and arduous work they did during the day, the prisoners were forced to pass through the living cordon of repentant prisoners and broken udbashs every evening… In Goli Otok, the prisoners with broken and muddled character (the most immoral types) not only “self-governed” the entire camp, but also became the executioners of those who had a humane and invincible character. This infamous prison camp also became the grave of many prisoners, among whom there were many Albanians.

References

1.Shaban Braha – “The Great Serbian Genocide and the Albanian Resistance (1844-1990) Lumi – Gjakovë 1991, p.495

2 Ibid

3 Ibid

4 AQSH of the RSSSH, P.252/ I,1951, dos.340, M-F 393, fl.36

5 Shaban Braha – “The Great Serbian Genocide …..”, p.497/498

6 Gazeta ”Besa”, Istanbul-1974-1975. /Mr.Ethem Çeku: The political thought of the illegal movement in Kosovo 1945-1981, Prishtina, 2003, p.129.

7 Rexhep Bunjaku – “Kosovo, Besa and Tradition” Prishtina 1998, p.146.

8 District Court of the KKM in Pristina, November 3, 1950 (Judgment K.149/50)

9 Ibid. / and memories of Sh. Mazreku, published in the magazine “Forumi”, Pristina December 6, 1993, p1.19.

10 H. Susuri – “Confessions of Hajdar Bytyqi” – Gurra, Revistë e Vërrinit – Year I no.8, December 1992, p.27. – From the notes in the manuscript of Ibish Avdiu – Zhur 1992.

11 R. Bunjaku – “Kosovo, faith and tradition”, p.147.

12 Kadri Halimi – “National supporter – not ideology” – Fejton (2) Rilindja October 22, 1994, p.12. Confessions by Xhemë Lah Gashi – sooner or later Kosovo will belong to Albania”, published in the magazine “Forumi” no. 9. January 17, 1994, p.18 / and Xhafer Shatri – “Why is Adem Demaqi imprisoned”, p.25.

13 Rexhep Bunjaku – “Kosovo, faith and tradition”, p.148.

14 Agim Zogaj – “File P – the Prizren ’56 process” Zëri 1998, p.68 / Ethem Çeku-The century of illegality…, generation 81 Prishtina, 2004 p.224-225

15 R.Bunjaku – “Kosovo…”, p.148.

16 Judgment K.nr.19/59 dated March 7, 1959 District Court in Gjilan. /Kadrush Sylejmani M.Krasniqi-symbol of Albanian resistance, Prishtina 1999, 103,106,115 / Ethem Çeku – The Century of Illegality…, 81st Generation Prishtina, 2004 pp.274-276.

17 Ethem Çeku-The Century of Illegality…, 81st Generation Prishtina, 2004 pp. 253-254

18 The indictment against Adem Demaçi was filed based on the testimonies of the following witnesses: Zekeria Cana, Ali Aliu, Fahredin Gunga, Adem Gajtani, Avdi Avdiu, Shemsi Osmani, Rafael Sopi, Sabit Ratkoceri, Ismet Bytyqi, Shefqet Popova, Din Mehmeti, Sylejman Drini and Xhafer Ruzhdiu.

19 Dr. Hakif Bajrami, “Demaçi File” Brezi 81, Prishtina 2003, p.21-60./Indictment: PPQ no.14/59 . 19.02.1959.

20 Indictment K.nr.29/59, 19.02.1959, Prizren District Court /Ethem Çeku-The Century of Illegality, p.236.

21 Emil Kastrioti – Report – “On the History of the Albanian National Democratic Alliance” Donzdorf (Germany) 1996, p.24.

22 Ibid

23 Ibid

24 K.Halimi: The Movement for Freedom is Unstoppable (Featured) – Rilindja 24 October 1994, p.9.

25. Ibid
26. Indictment Kto. no.223/64 filed by Public Prosecutor Mirko Matović and Judgment K.no.271/64, dated 01.IX.1964
27. Xh.Shatri – “Why is A.Demaçi in prison?”, pp.71-73.
28. Judgment K.no.23/69 announced by the district court in Prishtina (7 April 1969) pp.1-2.)
29. Rilindja” 1-3 June 1969)
30. Xhafer Shatri – “Why is Adem Demaqi in prison”, pp.27-28.