Abaz Kupi
Encyclopedia
Abaz Kupi or Abas Kupi (1892–1976) also known by his nom de guerre as Bazi i Canës, was an Albania
n politician
, leader and fighter, known mostly for his role during World War II
. A royalist
, he created the Legality Movement
in Albania which promoted the return to the throne of Zog of Albania
. During the Cold War
Kupi created the Albanian National Committee, which intended to overthrow the communist regime in Albania and to return the monarchy.
He was also honored by the Military order of bravery.
neighborhood in Krujë
. Through his activity World War I
, he entered the service of Esad Pasha Toptani and then lived sought for some of his misdeeds by the different governments and in 1922 took part in a coup d'etat of Elez Isufi that attacked Tirana to overthrow the government, but the rebels were defeated by the courage of the captain Prenk Pervizi and their soldiers come to the aid to the Interior Minister Ahmet Zog. In this case, the Brittish ambassador Hayres, persuaded Elez Isufi to return in Dibra. This is the truth of these facts. The uprising of Mirdita tribes, was crushed by the famous major Preng Jaku and the captain Prenk Pervizi, who defeated the insurgents in Sh'Pal of Mirdita.In the revolution of 1924, Abaz Kupi remained neutral and when Ahmet Zogu returned, was his friend Prenk Pervizi, which brought him close to King Zog, who made him head of the gendarmie of Kruja on rank of captain.The Italian invasion of Albania
found Kupi at the rank of major in Durres, but it was not capable of organizing the defense and had to flee before he was taken by the Italians. In defense of the homeland was only the sergeant Mujo Ulqinaku there fell a hero doing his duty as a true patriot and has been declared a national hero. With the Italian invasion complete, Kupi migrated to Turkey
where he remained until there was a new opportunity to fight Italians.
the British forces were looking into possibilities of creating an antifascist resistance in Albania. The most known figures were those of nationalists Muharrem Bajraktari, Prenk Pervizi, Hysni Dema,Fiqri Dine
, Gjon Markagjoni
, Myslim Peza, and Mustafa Gjinishi, an Albanian communist. Abaz Kupi went from Turkey to Yugoslavia
to meet with Colonel Stirling, a British officer, with the intention of leading the resistance. The Yugoslav government was against such action, but when German attack on Yugoslavia was imminent, it gave the green light. On 7 April 1941, a small group led by Abaz Kupi, Xhemal Herri, Gani Kryeziu, and Mustafa Gjinishi with the support of Muharrem Bajraktari, entered Albania from the Yugoslav frontier.Because of poor supplies and lack of coordination, the expedition was trapped in the mountainous regions of northern Albania and failed. The captain Xhemal Herri, chief of secreted services of king Zog and his faithful man, has killed by Abaz Kupi in Kruja en 1943 treacherously in obscure circumstances. This crime was a great shame and indelible stain for A. Kupi. Nikoll Melyshi, Ngjarje Historike (Historical Facts, Detroit, 1976.
Abaz Kupi collaborated with communist and was elected member of the General Council
, although he was not a communist
. In the Mukje Agreement
organized by Balli Kombetar (Front National) he was forced to leave the National Liberation Front and created the Legality Movement
, which aimed at the return of the king Zog
in Albania. Apart from some sporadic fights in September 1943 in Krujë (while he was still part of the National Liberation Front of the communist) and in June 1944, his troops didn't attack German troops, although pressed to do so by the British mission, which was established with them. The British mission was protected by the general Prenk Pervizi, one of the most important nationalist personality and chief of Albanian army. When the Albanian communists First Storm Division attacked in northern Albania in August-October 1944, the British mission left Albania. Nationalist leaders fled to the mountains in agreement with the Allies. Instead Kupi flee by boat and was taken by the Italians and put in the prison of Ancona, then liberated by Allied troops.
, in January 1976.
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, leader and fighter, known mostly for his role during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A royalist
Royalist
A royalist supports a particular monarch as head of state for a particular kingdom, or of a particular dynastic claim. In the abstract, this position is royalism. It is distinct from monarchism, which advocates a monarchical system of government, but not necessarily a particular monarch...
, he created the Legality Movement
Legality Movement
The Legaliteti were an Albanian royalist and pro-monarchy faction founded in1941. It was led by Abaz Kupi.-Ideology:The Legaliteti sought the return of King Zog, who...
in Albania which promoted the return to the throne of Zog of Albania
Zog of Albania
Zog I, Skanderbeg III of the Albanians , born Ahmet Muhtar Bey Zogolli, was King of the Albanians from 1928 to 1939. He was previously Prime Minister of Albania and President of Albania .-Background and early political career:...
. During the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
Kupi created the Albanian National Committee, which intended to overthrow the communist regime in Albania and to return the monarchy.
He was also honored by the Military order of bravery.
Early life
Abaz Kupi was born in 6 August 1892, in VaroshVarosh
Varosh is a village in the municipality of Pezë in Tirana District, Tirana County, Albania.-References:...
neighborhood in Krujë
Krujë
Krujë is a town in north central Albania and the capital of the municipality and the Krujë District. It has a population of about 15,900. Located between Mount Krujë and the Ishëm River, the city is only 20 km from the capital of Albania, Tirana....
. Through his activity World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he entered the service of Esad Pasha Toptani and then lived sought for some of his misdeeds by the different governments and in 1922 took part in a coup d'etat of Elez Isufi that attacked Tirana to overthrow the government, but the rebels were defeated by the courage of the captain Prenk Pervizi and their soldiers come to the aid to the Interior Minister Ahmet Zog. In this case, the Brittish ambassador Hayres, persuaded Elez Isufi to return in Dibra. This is the truth of these facts. The uprising of Mirdita tribes, was crushed by the famous major Preng Jaku and the captain Prenk Pervizi, who defeated the insurgents in Sh'Pal of Mirdita.In the revolution of 1924, Abaz Kupi remained neutral and when Ahmet Zogu returned, was his friend Prenk Pervizi, which brought him close to King Zog, who made him head of the gendarmie of Kruja on rank of captain.The Italian invasion of Albania
Italian invasion of Albania
The Italian invasion of Albania was a brief military campaign by the Kingdom of Italy against the Albanian Kingdom. The conflict was a result of the imperialist policies of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini...
found Kupi at the rank of major in Durres, but it was not capable of organizing the defense and had to flee before he was taken by the Italians. In defense of the homeland was only the sergeant Mujo Ulqinaku there fell a hero doing his duty as a true patriot and has been declared a national hero. With the Italian invasion complete, Kupi migrated to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
where he remained until there was a new opportunity to fight Italians.
World War II activity
While the United Kingdom entered World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the British forces were looking into possibilities of creating an antifascist resistance in Albania. The most known figures were those of nationalists Muharrem Bajraktari, Prenk Pervizi, Hysni Dema,Fiqri Dine
Fiqri Dine
Colonel Fiqri Dine was Prime Minister of Albania's Quisling government under Nazi Germany. He was the chieftain of the Dine clan from Debar.-Prime minister:...
, Gjon Markagjoni
Gjon Markagjoni
Marka Gjoni was an Albanian clan leader who rebelled against the Albanian government. In 1921 in alliance with Esadists, he founded in Prizren the Republic of Mirdita and served as its president during its short existence. His republic did not receive recognition by its alleged citizens nor from...
, Myslim Peza, and Mustafa Gjinishi, an Albanian communist. Abaz Kupi went from Turkey to Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
to meet with Colonel Stirling, a British officer, with the intention of leading the resistance. The Yugoslav government was against such action, but when German attack on Yugoslavia was imminent, it gave the green light. On 7 April 1941, a small group led by Abaz Kupi, Xhemal Herri, Gani Kryeziu, and Mustafa Gjinishi with the support of Muharrem Bajraktari, entered Albania from the Yugoslav frontier.Because of poor supplies and lack of coordination, the expedition was trapped in the mountainous regions of northern Albania and failed. The captain Xhemal Herri, chief of secreted services of king Zog and his faithful man, has killed by Abaz Kupi in Kruja en 1943 treacherously in obscure circumstances. This crime was a great shame and indelible stain for A. Kupi. Nikoll Melyshi, Ngjarje Historike (Historical Facts, Detroit, 1976.
Abaz Kupi collaborated with communist and was elected member of the General Council
General council
General council may refer to:In education:* General Council , an advisory body to each of the ancient universities of Scotland...
, although he was not a communist
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
. In the Mukje Agreement
Mukje Agreement
The Mukje Agreement was a treaty signed on August 2, 1943 in the Albanian village of Mukje between the nationalist Balli Kombëtar and the communist National Liberation Movement on how to regulate the Albanian resistance in World War II and how to prepare for the future of Ethnic Albania.The...
organized by Balli Kombetar (Front National) he was forced to leave the National Liberation Front and created the Legality Movement
Legality Movement
The Legaliteti were an Albanian royalist and pro-monarchy faction founded in1941. It was led by Abaz Kupi.-Ideology:The Legaliteti sought the return of King Zog, who...
, which aimed at the return of the king Zog
Zog of Albania
Zog I, Skanderbeg III of the Albanians , born Ahmet Muhtar Bey Zogolli, was King of the Albanians from 1928 to 1939. He was previously Prime Minister of Albania and President of Albania .-Background and early political career:...
in Albania. Apart from some sporadic fights in September 1943 in Krujë (while he was still part of the National Liberation Front of the communist) and in June 1944, his troops didn't attack German troops, although pressed to do so by the British mission, which was established with them. The British mission was protected by the general Prenk Pervizi, one of the most important nationalist personality and chief of Albanian army. When the Albanian communists First Storm Division attacked in northern Albania in August-October 1944, the British mission left Albania. Nationalist leaders fled to the mountains in agreement with the Allies. Instead Kupi flee by boat and was taken by the Italians and put in the prison of Ancona, then liberated by Allied troops.
Post war activities
At his arrival in Italy, rescued by an Italian military ship that Kupi was lost at sea with his companions, were held in the prison of Ancona, and liberated by Allied troops, was kept in a refugee camp. In 1948 the Albanians formed the Free Albania Committee, with President Dr. Zef Pali, and members of several important nationalists fled abroad as : Muharrem Bajraktari, Fiqri Dine, Prenk Pervizi, Abaz Kupi, Abaz Ermeni and others. Kupi continued his anti-communist activity until he died in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, in January 1976.