Vasil Laçi

Vasil Laçi
Vasil Laçi
	Vasil Laçi on police photo before execution
Born	15 September 1922; Piqeras,Albania
Died	27 May 1941(aged 18); Tirana,Albania
Cause of death	Execution by hanging
Nationality	Albanian
Known for	An attempt to kill in 1941Victor Emmanuel III,thenKing of ItalyandShefqet Bej Vërlaci,thenPrime Minister of Albania
Parent(s)	Mihal Laçi (father), Vitori Laçi (mother)
Relatives	Kolë Laçi (cousin) and Sister
Awards	Hero of the People

Vasil Laçi,People's Hero of Albania,also referred to asVasil Llaçi^[2](15 September 1922 – 27 May 1941), was anAlbanianpatriot and anti-monarchist^[3]who attempted to killVictor Emmanuel III,King of ItalyandShefqet Bej Vërlaci,Prime Minister of Albaniaafter theoccupation of Albania by fascist Italy.

Early life

Vasil Laçi was born in the village ofPiqerasin southern Albania near the city ofSarandëon 15 September 1922, son of Mihal Laçi and Vitori. His father died at the age of 30, while Vasil was still a child. He spent his childhood in Piqeras, where he studied in the local elementary school. In 1933-1935 he worked inDurrësas astevedore.In 1936 he moved toTirana,capital of Albania, after being invited to work there.^[4]TheItalian invasionfound him in Tirana. There he developed relations with patriotic groups, and helped several of their members escape from the Italian troops and police.^[3]He worked initially as a dishwasher, and later as a servant. His cousin Kolë Llaçi was member of the Communist Group ofKorçë(where he had migrated) and died in September 1941 in the prison ofVoskopojëafter being arrested by the Italians.^[1]The Fascist military reports states that "Llaçi had communist ideas and he had been in contact with communist literature".

Assassination attempt against Victor Emmanuel III

Victor Emmanuel III decided to visit Albania on April 12, 1941 and he arrived one month later, after being reassured by the Italian fascist police of Tirana that all security measures had been taken. Laçi found out about Victor Emmanuel's visit to Albania 15 days before his arrival on May 2, 1941. He got a job at the Hotel International where Victor Emmanuel would stay, and borrowed aBeretta M1915pistol fromPëllumb Koka,another Albanian patriot. On May 17, 1941 the 19-year-old Laçi, wearing an Albanian national costume, attacked the car in which Victor Emmanuel andShefqet Bej Vërlaci,Prime Minister of Albaniawere travelling accompanied by the ministers of the government. He fired four shots towards them while shouting "Long live Albania! Down with fascism", but failed to hit anyone.^[3]^[4]After the assassination attempt, the Italian sources inRomeaccusedGreeceof being behind Laçi and called him a "Greek-Macedonian named Mihailoff Vasillaci" (di origine grecomacedone).^[5]^[6]^[7]

Aftermath and legacy

Laçi was arrested immediately and executed by hanging ten days later. The Italian fascist government attributed his attack to economic issues he had with Shefqet Bej Vërlaci, to prevent possible uprisings of the Albanian people.^[3]^[4]

Laçi was one of the first people to posthumously receive thePeople's Hero of Albaniaaward from the Albanian government. His assassination attempt was documented in a book, which was adapted for the 1980 movieBullets for the Imperator(Albanian:Plumba Perandorit). A monument to Laçi stands in Tirana.^[3]

References

^^a ^bVasil Llaçi, Hero i Popullit,Tirana: Directory of Museums, Committee of Veterans of Tirana, May 1976, pp. 5, 6
^Comando Superiore Carabinieri Reali dell Albania - document of 25 May 1941
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^eShqip on Vasil Laçi
^^a ^b ^cOwen Pearson,Albania in Occupation and War: From Fascism to Communism 1940-1945,2006, p.153,ISBN 978-1-84511-104-5
^Bernd Jürgen Fischer (1999).Albania at War, 1939-1945.Purdue University Press. p. 102.ISBN 978-1-55753-141-4.
^Owen Pearson (11 July 2006).Albania in the Twentieth Century, A History: Volume II: Albania in Occupation and War, 1939-45.I.B.Tauris. pp. 153–.ISBN 978-1-84511-104-5.
^Antonio Spinosa (1993).Vittorio Emanuele III: l'astuzia di un re.Mondadori. p. 385.ISBN 978-88-04-36653-9.L'attentatore era un ragazzo diciottenne, Vasil Laci Mihailoff, di origine grecomacedone

[KVT-1] Vasil Llaçi, Hero i Popullit,Tirana: Directory of Museums, Committee of Veterans of Tirana, May 1976, pp. 5, 6

[2] Comando Superiore Carabinieri Reali dell Albania - document of 25 May 1941

[Shqip-3] Shqip on Vasil Laçi

[Pearson153-4] Owen Pearson,Albania in Occupation and War: From Fascism to Communism 1940-1945,2006, p.153,ISBN 978-1-84511-104-5

[Fischer1999-5] Bernd Jürgen Fischer (1999).Albania at War, 1939-1945.Purdue University Press. p. 102.ISBN 978-1-55753-141-4.

[Pearson2006-6] Owen Pearson (11 July 2006).Albania in the Twentieth Century, A History: Volume II: Albania in Occupation and War, 1939-45.I.B.Tauris. pp. 153–.ISBN 978-1-84511-104-5.

[Spinosa1993-7] Antonio Spinosa (1993).Vittorio Emanuele III: l'astuzia di un re.Mondadori. p. 385.ISBN 978-88-04-36653-9.L'attentatore era un ragazzo diciottenne, Vasil Laci Mihailoff, di origine grecomacedone

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v t e People's Hero of Albania
Men	Asim Aliko Manush Alimani Shyqyri Alimerko Llambro Andoni Ramiz Aranitasi Vangjel Argjiri Muzafer Asqeri Fuat Babani Koçi Bako Beqir Balluku* Memo Bejko Sadik Bekteshi* Xheladin Beqiri Fato Berberi Bardhok Biba Isa Boletini Hyqmet Buzi Hajredin Bylishi Riza Cerova Bajram Curri Skënder Çaçi Hito Çako* Hysen Çino Reshit Çollaku Ilia Kici (Dashi) Ndoc Deda Veli Dedi Rexh Delia Ali Demi Gjok Doçi Petrit Dume* Emin Duraku Mihal Duri Hajdar Dushi Abdyl Elmazi Abdyl Frashëri Musa Fratari Hasan Gërxhaliu Meleq Gosnishti Mihal Grameno Luigj Gurakuqi Jaho Gjoliku Ded Gjo Luli Naim Gjylbegu Met Hasa Ahmet Haxhia Dervish Hekali Enver Hoxha* Vehbi Hoxha Shyqyri Ishmi Fran Ivanaj Tuk Jakova Mustafa Kaçaçi Xhemal Kada Branko Kadia Dino Kalenja Zija Kambo Hysni Kapo* Kajo Karafili Ali Kelmendi Myslym Keta Zaho Koka Tom Kola Teki Kolaneci Rexhep Kolli Sado Kosheno Spiro Kote Vojo Kushi Vasil Laçi Zigur Lelo Hydajet Lezha Mbrik Lokja Nuri Luçi Haxhi Lleshi* Misto Mame Dile Marku Xhoxhi Martini Theodhori Mastora Mustafa Matohiti Ndoc Mazi Kanan Maze Ram Metaliaj Memo Meto Pal Mëlyshi Fejzi Micoli Jordan Misja Kastriot Muço Maliq Muço Sali Murati (Vranishti) Selam Musai Kozma Naska Nik Ndreka Kozma Nushi Estref Osoja Llazo Palluqi Rahman Parllaku* ~~Shefqet Peçi~~ Myslim Peza Hekuran Pobrati Muhamet Prodani Ismail Kemal Fahri Ramadani Perlat Rexhepi Ndreko Rino Avni Rustemi Nazmi Rushiti Mumin Selami Çelo Sinani Mic Sokoli Qemal Stafa Sadik Stavaleci Jorgo Sulioti Vasil Shanto Abaz Shehu Mehmet Shehu* Myslym Shyri Hajdar Tafa Lefter Talo Bajo Topulli Çerçiz Topulli Bajram Tusha Mujo Ulqinaku Ramiz Varvarica Themi Vaso Zylyftar Veleshnja Asim Vokshi Sulejman Vokshi Mitro Xhani Mustafa Xhani (Baba Faja) Alim Xhelo (Tërbaçi) Ajet Xhindolli Asim Zeneli
Women	Ylbere Bylybashi Shkurte Cara (Skuraj) Zonja Çurre Qeriba Derri Inajete Dumi Laze Ferraj Shote Galica Liri Gero Shenjaze Juka Persefoni Kokëdhima Emine Metaj Bule Naipi Hibe Palikuqi Mine Peza Nimete Progonati Çybra Sokoli Marte Tarazhi Prenda Tarazhi Margarita Tutulani