The assassination of the signer of the Document of Independence and the tragic fate of his descendants

Roland Qafoku

Personal revenge in Albania has not spared even the signatories of independence. On October 21, 1919, Xhelal Koprêncka was shot dead in an ambush, while going from Skrapari to the neighboring Korça with his brave men to help the Albanians who were fighting against the Greek army.

A patriot who could not sit idly by when Greece aimed to take over Korca. But this mattered little to a resident of the area, who had long wanted his death.

He shot Koprêncka when he was crossing the Marta Pass, interrupting his entire activity just seven years after the death of that important firm in Vlora, which together with 41 others founded the Albanian state.

CRIME SCENE

Jelal Koprêncka, together with his 30 brave men, was crossing a mountain pass, when suddenly a rifle shot was heard from an ambush. That single bullet was a killer. Koprencka fell dead from the horse he was riding on. Those who accompanied him, not only did not have the opportunity to come to their aid, but did not even follow the author of this crime.

Very soon it was learned that the perpetrator was Syrja Guri, who managed to escape quickly, helped by his good knowledge of the terrain.

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE MURDER

The information says that Syrja Guri had been trying to get the hack of the murdered uncle, Abdurrahman Gjon, from the brother of Xelal Koprêncka. Although it seems absurd what connection Xelal Koprêncka had, and what's more, the nephew to the uncle, Syrja Guri was of the opinion that the hacking should be done to the most important person. And, in that area, there was none more important than Xelal Koprêncka. As if he was looking for someone to decorate, Syrja Guri found the information about his sign Xelal Koprênckën, who was: signatory of the Declaration of Independence, deputy minister of war, commander of the Gendarmerie and adding the title of bey and military training in Istanbul.

In the book Main Characters of Albania, according to the secret report of the intelligence service of the Admiral of the British Navy, it is written: "Abdyl bey Koprêncka from Skrapari has different opinions from those of his brother, Xhelal bey Koprêncka, currently one of the leaders that the Young Turks they sent him to arm the Albanian gangs against the Italians".

So, it seems clear that someone pushed the perpetrator of the murder that the best target was Jelal and no one else. This was also related to his political activity.

At this time, supporters of Esad Pasha Toptan, whom Xelal Koprêncka had openly opposed, began to appear in the area of ​​Skrapar and Berat. In this situation, a strong political opponent was also hacked and eliminated. Syrja Guri "implemented" the order shortly before the start of the Lushnja Congress.

obsequial

There is an even greater mystery why the burial of Xelal Koprêncka was not held in his hometown, but in his mother's village, in Gostencka. In a ceremony attended by almost the entire area, the effort of his relatives and friends to catch the author stood out.

Only a few days after the burial, Syrja Guri was captured, but no retaliatory action was taken against him. The mediators even made reconciliation between the two Koprêncka and Guri families.

XELAL KOPRENCKA I RIU

The murder of the signer of independence was accompanied by an even more serious loss for the entire Koprêncka family. Communist historiography not only denied Xhelal Koprêncka participation in the Assembly of Vlora, the signature put in the most famous statement in Albania, but this signature was completely removed from this statement.

He himself received the designation of reactionary bey and enemy of the people, while the Koprêncka family experienced the ordeal of suffering and persecution.

The climax was reached by the persecution against the nephew who had the name and surname of the signatory, Xelal Koprêncka.

Arrested five times during the communist regime, he was an important part of the revolt in Spaçi prison on May 9, 1979, for which he was convicted and executed on May 29 by firing squad along with two other people.

Xelal Koprêncka the Younger was awarded the "Martyr of Democracy" decoration in 1994 by President Sali Berisha.

10 FACTS

1. Xelal Koprêncka is one of the 42 signatories of the Act of Independence on November 28, 1912 in Vlora;

2. Xelal Koprêncka was a bey from the area of ​​Skrapar, a large owner of lands, forests and pastures in Berat and Korçë;

3. Xelal Koprêncka, after graduating from the American school "Robert College" in Istanbul, graduated as a soldier in Istanbul;

4. Xhelal Koprêncka was one of the closest collaborators of the Minister of War, Mehmet Pashë Dërralla, holding the office of Deputy Minister of War, but also as an organizer of the army and gendarmerie structures of the newly created Albanian state;

5. Xelal Koprêncka supported Prince Wied and the Government of Turhan Pasha Përmet, making himself available to them in 1914;

6. Xhelal Koprêncka openly declared against Esad Paşe Toptan and fought against his forces in Berat in 1915;

7. Xhelal Koprêncka was considered a reactionary in the historiography of communism, when in fact he was one of the founders of the Albanian state;

8. Xelal Koprêncka's signature was erased from the declaration of independence and in all the history books he is not mentioned at all as one of the 42 signatories

9. The grandson of Xelal Koprêncka, who also bore his name, was shot by the communist regime as a political opponent;

10. Xelal Koprêncka the Younger suffered in Spaçi prison and his shooting came after the famous phrase "you are punishing me in the name of the enemies of the people, not in the name of the people".

(Taken from the book "The 100 most sensational murders in the history of the Albanian state, 1912-2017". Prepared for publication: TemA)