Two days after the assassination of communist MP Bardhok Biba in Qafë-Valmir in 1949, Mehmet Shehu ordered a large-scale repressive operation in the Mirdita area. In a telegram to Enver Hoxha, Shehu called for extralegal measures to “terrorize” the population that did not support the regime.
During the operation in 24 villages of Miditë, 132 people were arrested, divided into three categories: 31 for execution, 84 for imprisonment and 17 for internment. In addition, the internment of 9 families of the Gjon Marku clan was ordered and 15 other arrests were made in the Lezha district.
In the telegram, Shehu requested the intervention of the Presidium to approve the death sentences and the announcement of the execution of the three convicts in Burrel.
Telegram-Cipher
N-Colonel Beqir Ndout for Commander
Tonight begins the operation in the "24 Villages of Midita" which has a total of 31 villages there. The arrests will end on the 11th in the morning and are "31 of the first category", "84 of the second category", "17 of the third category". Those of the first category are for the death penalty according to our predictions, although only 15 or 17 can be executed. Those of the second category are for imprisonment and those of the third for internment. Also, 9 families of the Gjon Marku clan will be internment and about 15 arrests in the Lezh district. The military court may come to Rreshen on August 12. Please intervene in the Presidium to approve the 3 death sentences of Burrel and notify us by telegraph so that we can execute them. I am going to Shkodra today for the Pero case and will return here.
Rrshen 9.8.1949
Mehmet
