Petrit Latii

One of the most prominent figures of the Albanian national awakening was Zhuj Selmani, son of Selman Muca of the Lucgjekaj clan, part of the Kelmendi. Born in 1844 in Koshutan of Rugova, he finished the Ottoman redif military and became the border guard of Murinë somewhere around 1865. For 10 years he stayed in the tower of Sheremt (Alb. Kulla e Sheremetit). In 1875, Montenegrin forces attacked the Albanian border, which led to Zhuj Selmani firing at the gun powder barrels, and killing himself and the Montenegrin invaders.

In 1875, Montenegrin general Marko Miljanov, the right hand of King Nikola Petrovic, attacked the Albanian border of Murine. Situated at the border, the blockhouse of Zhuj Selmani became the target of Montenegrin imperialism.

This kind of expansionist goal occurred 3 years before the Treaty of Berlin where Albanian lands were given to Serbia and Montenegro. In 1875, King Nikola of Montenegro wanted to grab as much Albanian land as possible. Thus, the assault of Murinë of modern day Plav and Gucia, Albanian inhabited regions.

The assault against the Tower of Sheremet

In 1875, Zhuj Selmani of Rugova, was the border guard of Murinë, where the Albanian border lay. At that time, Montenegrin forces assaulted the tower. Zhuj Selmani, most likely accompanied by his friends, defended the tower heroically. However, when they realized they were outnumbered, they refused to surrender. When hearing that the Montenegrins were planning on capturing Zhuj Selmani alive and bringing him to Cetinje, he vowed not to surrender the tower.

When the Montenegrins started the final siege, Zhuj Selmani fired on the gun powder barrels, killing himself and the Montenegrin forces.