Albanian former communist leader dies at 86

 by Alfred Kola

Ramiz Alia, last communist leader and the first president of post-communist Albania died today of lung disease. He was 86.

Known as the Gorbachev of Albania, Alia was a controversial figure, credited by many as the leader who prevented bloodshed during the collapse of communism in the country, while considered by others as a ruthless communist ruler, responsible for ordering the killings of numerous people who attempted to flee Albania through the border with Greece. He is also accused of inserting former communist Sali Berisha inside the movement for democracy.

Alia succeeded the Supreme Leader Enver Hoxha in the post of First Secretary of the Communist Party, following Hoxha’s death in 1985. He immediately initiated reforms to open the hermetically isolated country, which was threatened by the collapse and famine, to the world, with the hope that it would set in motion the country’s paralyzed industry and ruined agriculture. This change of course was greatly hailed by the people and international community as a sign that communism as a system was in its final days.

Alia played a paramount role in avoiding the confrontations and physical clashes with the students in anti-communist protests in 1990. He immediately allowed the formation of the first opposition party, which would come to power in 1992.

Sali Berisha, a close collaborator of Alia during communist years, soon after being elected president, requested that Alia, alongside Hoxha’s spouse, Nexhmije Hoxha, be tried for abuse of funds and cheating to people.

A quick communist-style court, which started and ended in controversy, found them both guilty and sentenced them to 15 years in prison each, although there was no airtight evidence to support the charges.

During the upheaval of 1997, Alia was released from prison and later pardoned by president Mejdani. He appeared occasionally on TV interviews to speak on certain events that took place during the communist regime, but never again engaged in politics.  

His passing marks the death of the last pre-democracy communist leader, but not the last communist a leader who is still in power, because that place belong to current Albanian prime minister, who was a member of communist hierarchy for 25 years.