Summary

In March 1997, the Archaeological Museum in Durrës experienced a targeted theft of Illyrian-period artifacts, while Roman and Hellenistic items remained untouched. The theft was allegedly orchestrated by Greek organizations to undermine Albanian claims of Illyrian ancestry. Only a handful of high-level officials had access to the museum, including the Prime Minister and the Director of Monuments, Neritan Ceka. Investigations pointed to a known archaeologist and political figure as responsible. Despite reporting the crime to the minister, Shaqir Vuka, no action was taken, and the whistleblower faced threats to his life. The author considers this theft one of the gravest in Albanian history, describing it as a loss of national identity, and notes that other serious crimes occurred during the chaos of March 1997.

February – March of 1997

On March 14, 1997, I was informed that from the Archaeological Museum in Durrës, archaeological objects had been stolen, only those from the Illyrian period, while those from the Roman and Hellenistic periods remained untouched. The objects had been internationally certified as items of Illyrian origin, as well as those from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Only the objects from the Illyrian period were stolen.

From the information I received, I learned that this theft had been commissioned and rewarded by Greek organizations with the goal that, in the future, Albanians would not have sufficient evidence that we are autochthonous and descendants of the Illyrians.

I knew that these objects were kept in extremely secure locations, with secret codes, and only five people had access, starting from the Prime Minister and the Director of Monuments, who at that time was Neritan Ceka.

The information was verified: the objects had indeed been stolen, and the data pointed to a well-known person, especially during the rebellion, as its leader, head of a small party, but also a very well-known archaeologist.

I prepared the written (secret) material and handed it over to the minister of those days, Shaqir Vuka… I knew they were friends and part of those who organized and led the people into that chaos, but… the law forced me… the state or the law did not act, but… I faced many problems, even attempts on my life.

I still do not want to believe that it was Albanians who committed this terrible theft, this irreplaceable treasure, because with this, our identity as a nation was stolen.

In all this chaos, I believe that this theft is the most serious in the history of our nation.

P.S. There are other very serious crimes that occurred in March 1997, but I will reveal them at the right time so that they are not forgotten.

Borrowed from: Kostandin Koliqi
(Illustrative photo by A. Hasanas)