Alush Lleshanaku, a nationalist, was killed in Elbasan. He was born in the village of Bradashesh, Elbasan, in 1913. He completed his secondary education at the “Normal School” in Elbasan, and his higher education at the “La Farnesina” school in Rome, where he obtained a diploma in physical education. Upon returning to Albania, he worked as a physical education teacher at the high school in Shkodra. On April 4, 1939, a nationalist pamphlet was distributed in the city of Shkodra, clearly stating that the occupation of Albania was being prepared. Alush Lleshanaku was part of this group of nationalists, along with Zef Palin and Jup Kazazi. For this reason, after the Italian occupation, he was dismissed from his job for “spreading anti-Italian sentiment among his students.” He returned to Elbasan. In 1941, he was appointed federal employee of the Elbasan District. At the end of 1942, he came into contact with the first nationalist military organizations and, not long after, he formed his own band, which became known for its anti-fascist activity in the villages of Bradashesh, Balter, Belsh, Labinot, and Peqin. In the summer of 1943, he attacked and captured the Italian garrison in the city. In September 1943, in collaboration with the nationalist liberation band “Dajti“, he organized an ambush against a German convoy coming from Elbasan. After November 29, 1944, he continued the fight against communist forces alongside Captain Mark Gjon Marku and Halil Ali. After many actions carried out, on December 16, 1946, he crossed the border into Greece. On January 12, 1947, he arrived in Athens, and from there he joined other Albanian leaders who were in Piraeus. In 1949, he parachuted into Mirdita to reorganize nationalist forces still operating in the mountains of Northern Albania. He was killed by the security forces on December 24, 1950, in a house in the city of Elbasan. His body was secretly taken and embalmed by Ibrahim Dervishi to be exhibited a few days later as if killed in the “battle” of the Papri Bridge. (In the photo: Alush Lleshanaku)
Text: Encyclopedic dictionary of victims of communist terror – Vol. V , “West Print”, Institute for the Study of Crimes and Consequences of Communism, Tirana, 2016, pages 139-140.
Photo: © https://blokukombetarindependent.com/alush-lleshanaku/
Graphic processing: AHCF
