Massacre of Ura Vajgurore

Part of 1997 rebellion in Albania.

Fighting Groups

Forum for Democracy • Committee of Public Salvation • Government of National Salvation • Operation Alba • Volunteer Forces

Gang of Çole • Gang of Gaxhai • Gang of Altin Dardha • Gang of Pusi i Mezinit • Gang of Cërrik • Gang of Lushnje • Gang of Tepelena • Gang of Haklaj Family

Massacres in 1997

Massacre of 28 February 1997 • Massacre of Qafë-Gjashta • Massacre of Levan • Massacre of Cërrik • Massacre of Ura Vajgurore

Tragedies of 1997

Otranto Tragedy • Qafë Shtama Tragedy

Stealings of Treasury

Krraba Stealing • Nortgern State Stealing

Rescue missions

Operation Silver Wake • Operation Libelle

Agreements

6 March 1997 • 9 March 1997

UN Resolutions

Resolution 1101 • Resolution 1114

Important events

Opening of the depots • Desertion of 4 March 1997 • Attack of 7-8 March 1997 on Gjirokastër • Visit of Romano Prodi • Albanian parliamentary election, 1997 • Albanian monarchy referendum, 1997

See also

Pyramid schemes in Albania • Role of media in 1997 • Literature on the events of 1997 • Conspiracy theories about 1997 This box: view · talk · edit

The Massacre of Ura Vajgurore occurred on 17 June 1997 in the town of Ura Vajgurore, Albania . Five people were killed and six wounded, all police officers.

Event

The armed clash started at 11:55 the morning, after many election rallies of political parties. That day, in this town were Fatos Nano, chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania at the time, accompanied by Skender Gjinushi, while the municipality Poshnje Democratic Party of Albania represented in the late rally Azem Hajdari and Genc Pollo. After the two rallies, the Democratic Party of Albania escort was removed and after it came Fatos Nano and Skender Gjinushi and members of other supporters of this party. At the time, gangs control the city, after the opening of the military depots. Socialist Party of Albania leaders after the rally in Berat had left the city to continue the path toward Fier. Escort that accompanied the Socialist Party of Albania leader, arrived at the Bridge Vajgurore, when a teenager shot to the cluster of Protoduarëve guards who said they were supporting the Democratic Party. Located on the roof of the villa, Protoduarëve guards killed a 17-year-old. Part of the escort, he could pass the villa went to Berat and received large reinforcements arms ammunition and men. While the rest remained behind, gathered in the square before the fuel-watchers. Some people kidnapped a police armored car, threatening blue uniforms and under the orders of civilian police Blindi left on Protoduarëve villas. Villa guards were forced to shoot the tank with shell antitanku, without knowing that inside it was still policemen. Two of the officers, Milton Koci and Arjan Shemani were burned inside tank, the other two Selami Aslan and Ilia Bano were killed by the flames went out Blindi. On the other hand, the guards of the villa, situated between two fires, could be withdrawn, but not all. One of them was detained prisoner by opponents and executed. His body was then tied a cars, with which creep up in Berat, where it burned. Witnesses have indicated that the protagonists of this massacre, but also other serious events, were supporters of the two main parties in the country, the Socialist Party of Albania and Democratic Party of Albania.

Killed

• Miltiadh Koçi, police officer
• Arjan Shemuni, police officer
• Asllan Selami, police officer
• Ilia Bano, police officer
• Guard of the Protoduarëve Vila, unidentified

Wounded

• Thimi Tanku, police officer
• Ylli Dhamo, police officer
• Neim Gjeroveni, police officer
• Ëngjëllush Pasha, police officer
• Arben Bega, police officer
• Shkëlqim Selfo, police officer

Sentenced

• Musa Protoduari, lifetime sentence
• Shkëlqim Protoduari,, lifetime sentence
• Fran Marashi, lifetime sentence
• Fatbardha Protoduari, lifetime sentence , wife of Musa Protoduari
• Sokol Ndreu
• Gjovalin Ndreu
• Preng Miri
• Gjelosh Miri

See also

• List of massacres in Albania

References

• Gazeta Shekulli: "Ura Vajgurore", Pollo, Gjinushi e Nano në listën e dëshmitarëve
• Gazeta Shqip: Pas Cërrikut, hetim "politikës" në masakrën e Urës Vajgurore
• Gazeta Shekulli: I mbijetuari: Si ndodhi masakra e vitit 1997
• Gazeta Metropol: Zarif Bregu i Urës Vajgurore, me tri emra për t’ju shmangur drejtësisë
• Agjencia Telegrafike Shqiptare :17 Qershor 1997