The “Military Trial of Zhapokika”, a trial against insurgents against the communist regime, took place in Tepelena. The Zhapokika Military Trial took place eight months after the armed anti-communist uprising in September-October 1948. This movement was an anti-communist uprising of the villagers of Zhapokika against the dissatisfaction of the communist government and a clear attempt against the dictatorial regime. It was an organized and well-thought-out armed revolt, with defined and studied political and military tasks. The merit of preparing and organizing the uprising belongs to Xhemal Brahim Asllani, a 30-year-old former partisan. The squad consisted of soldiers, communists, former partisans, local police and local administration officials. The combat mission of the detachment was to fight with weapons until a democratic government came into force in Albania. After the election of the command staff, the 59-year-old former gendarme, Bajram Kamberi, was elected commander. On October 10, a battle took place in the neck of Gllava with numerous government forces, soldiers and policemen coming from Tepelena and Berat.
Two policemen and two insurgents remain killed. The gang was eventually disbanded. Xhemal Brahimi escaped first to Greece and then to the USA. The military court of Gjirokastra district, chaired by Captain Llazi Polena, tried some of the participants of the uprising, accusing them of having escaped in September-October 1948 and forming an armed gang to overthrow the popular government. Commander Barjam Kamberi was sentenced to be shot and executed in Gjirokastër, on July 21, 1949. The others were sentenced to heavy prison terms. Xhemal Brahim’s family, wife, and minor children were exiled; they were later sentenced to prison until 1991. All the convicts had their property confiscated and lost their electoral rights. The uprising of Zhapokika was the last uprising against the communist regime and evidence that communism was not opposed with weapons only in the north, but also in the south. (In the photo: Commander Barjam Kamberi)
Text: Albanian Telegraphic Agency
Photo: © https://kujto.al/personat/bajram-kamberi/
Graphic processing: AHCF
