The “Cafe Bari Revolt” took place, a revolt of political prisoners. Qafe Bari prison was located 18 km from the city of Puka. In this prison there were 500 political prisoners sentenced to more than 25 years in prison and as a result of the bad conditions and violence, the prisoners broke out in revolts. It was morning, the prisoners were grouped in the square, refusing to go to work without their demands being met. Further, in chorus, from inside the enclosure came the call: “Down with communism! Down with the dictatorship! Down with the dictator!”. Military forces from Tirana surrounded the entire camp. Hundreds of armed forces were ordered to fire on the prisoners. Violence was used on the convicts: Hajredin Fratari, Dalip Zhabolli, Nuredin Skrapari, Sandër Sokoli, Bajram Vuthi, Tom Ndoja, Sokol Sokoli, Sokol Progri, Lush Bushgjoka, Martin Leka, Vllasi Koçi, Lazër Shkëmbi, Haxhi Baxhinovski, Kostandin Gjordeni, Hysen Tobacco. The convict Sandër Sokoli died from torture before arriving at the Internal Branch of Puka, where the other convicts were also investigated and tried there. In conclusion, Tom Ndoja and Sokol Sokoli were sentenced to death by firing squad, while the others were re-sentenced to long years in prison. (In the photo: View of Qaf Bari prison.)
Text: National Museum “House with leaves”, Tirana
Photo: © Albanian Telegraphic Agency
Graphic processing: AHCF
