Summary

Azem Cufa-Demaj (1918–1940s) was born in Bogë, Rugova, into a prominent family known for strong national traditions. Educated in Prizren, he became one of the first youths of his region to receive formal schooling. During World War II, he served as a military officer and distinguished fighter, participating in major battles alongside notable Rugova leaders. Renowned for bravery and tactical skill, he joined postwar resistance against Slavic-communist rule. Captured after returning from Albania, he was tried by Yugoslav authorities, sentenced to death, and executed. His remains were never found.

Who was Azem Cufa Demaj?

Azem Cufa-Demaj was born in Bogë, Rugova in 1918. He came from a well-known Rugova family with ancient national traditions. Born and raised among the exploits of Isuf Mujan, Sali Rama and Tahir Col from his village of Bogë, Azem Cufa became one of the most well-known figures of that time not only for Bogë, but for Rugova and beyond.

He completed his primary and secondary school in Prizren. He was one of the first young people to be educated in those difficult times. In World War II, he was among the first to be included in the defense of the border and had the rank of military officer. As such, he knew the art of war well and collaborated with Sali Rama, Tahir Col and Haxhi Tahiri. He was one of the most distinguished fighters of the time.

Participant in all the wars and battles of that time. In the Smilovica war when Rugova’s standard-bearer Sak Faslia was killed, Azem Cufa was one of the first fighters to climb to the top of Smilovica to fight the enemy, along with Tahir Col and others.

After the murder of Saku, together with Tahir Col, they are among the most meritorious fighters who, with their heroism, did not let the standard-bearer go so that the Montenegrins could rob him of his body. Known as a distinguished fighter in all battles and wars, Azem Cufa was also known to the enemy.

The end of the war brought Azem Cufa to the military brigade of Mala Sadiku, a brigade that came from Albania to help establish communist power in Kosovo. It should be noted that according to oral data, Mal Sadiku as a Brigade commander, although against his will to help the Slavic invaders to establish power in these Albanian lands, was one of those who had understood in time that there was no trust in the Slavs, and that the remaining of Kosovo under Slavic occupation was tragic for the Albanians.

Mal Sadiku is known for Rugova, but he also knew the bravery of Azem Cufa, one of the fighters of Rugova. Mal Sadiku, as the people say, made a point of telling Azem Cufa to withdraw from his brigade, because his arrest was expected. Azem escapes from the brigade and joins his previous brigade in Rugova, the KAÇAKE MOVEMENT OF RUGOVA after the Second World War.

That Azem Cufa was truly a fighter who knew the art of war well, is also shown by the War of Independence. A war that was one of the most unforgettable wars for the Slavic-communist enemy after 1944. After this war, Azem Cufa, like many others, spent some time in the mountains of Rugova fighting the enemy, later he went to Albania thinking that he would find salvation there, where unfortunately he found misery. After a few days, together with the others, Azem Cufa was returned from Albania to Kosovo.

In Prizren, he was handed over to the Slavic communists by the Enverist communists. Azem Cufa of Bogve was sentenced to death by firing squad by the Yugoslav court. He was kept in the Prizren prison for 10-15 days, from where he was returned to Peja, to the Sheremet Tower. From Peja, more nationalists sent him to the military court in Prishtina.

After a long and arduous investigation, the court brought before it the largest group of about thirty (30) people, of whom twenty-seven were sentenced to twenty years of rigorous imprisonment. From this group, three of them were sentenced to death, two Rugovas, Fasli Zymeri from Kuqishtë and Azem Cufa and Selman Husaj from Husajte (Rozhajë) Tregovishtë.

From all these siftings of dozens of nationalists, one of the nationalists who considered the Slavic enemy the most dangerous was brought out, Azem Cufa Demaj from Bogë e Rugova, whom they executed, whose remains are still unknown to this day.

Source

Information gathered from relatives.