104 years since the assassination of Isa Boletini in Podgorica

Isa Boletini, led the insurgent forces for liberation from the Ottoman conqueror in 1912, happened alongside Ismail Qemali in the declaration of Albania's Independence, which was torn apart at the London conference in 1913.

Isa Boletini was born in the village of Boletin in Mitrovica, in a family with patriotic traditions. At the age of 17, he participated as a fighter of the Albanian League of Prizren, in the battle of Slivova (April 22, 1881) against the Ottoman forces. He supported Haxhi Zeka and other patriots in the establishment of the Albanian League of Peja (1899-1900) and in its resistance against the Ottoman rulers and neighboring chauvinist circles.

Acting Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj also remembered the bulletin.

"The name of Isa Boletini is etched forever in the memory of Albanians. Defender of independence, squad commander, Isa is not only a popular leader, but also an inspiration to love and appreciate freedom and the Motherland. Today, on the 104th anniversary of his death, his life and work are more magnificent than ever. Glory!", writes Haradinaj, reports Koha.net.

In 1901-1902 he was put in charge of the popular resistance in Kosovo against the interventions of Serbia, Montenegro, Russia and Austria-Hungary in Albania. He led the fighters in the battles fought with the Turkish army in the Shtimlje-Carralevo areas in 1910, supported the anti-Ottoman uprising in 1911, led the insurgent forces in the Drenica, Mitrovica, Podujevë and Pristina areas in 1912.

During the Balkan War in October 1912, he was put in charge of armed volunteer detachments for the defense of Albanian lands against the Serbian invaders. In the days of Independence, at the head of the representatives of Kosovo, he happened alongside Ismail Qemali in Vlora and took an active part in the organization of the armed forces for the protection of the Provisional Government of Vlora.

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In 1913, as a member of the Albanian delegation, together with Ismail Qemalin, he went to London, where he strongly protested against the decision of the Great Powers to dismember Albania. Later, Isa Boletini moved back to Kosovo, where he organized the popular resistance against the new Serbo-Montenegrin invaders.

By spending his life in struggle and effort and by his wisdom, he gained great authority as a popular leader. Isa Boletini connected his life and that of his family with the fate of his homeland, his love and loyalty to which he expressed with the words "I am good when Albania is good".

On January 23, 1916, he was treacherously killed by Montenegrin chauvinists in Podgorica, together with his sons Halil and Zahid, grandsons Jonuz and Halit, as well as three other fellow soldiers.