Gang of Çole was a criminal group that operated in the city of Vlora during 1997-1999, peaking of the criminal activity was during the period March-June 1997, when anarchy reigned in the South. Gang members charged with the creation of the criminal group, possession of military vehicles, homicides, kidnappings, giving penitence, destruction of state institutions, drug trafficking until the burning of people.

Gang activity

The gang was created by Myrteza Çaushi also known as Zani, the strongman of Vlora , in March 1997. The group had fifteen members, most already with criminal records. Myrteza Çaushi was imprisoned in a high security prison in Greece after being convicted of serious criminal offenses. In February 1997, he escaped from prison and returned to southern Albania, where, taking advantage of the unrest, he established the gang known as Çole along with some friends from his neighborhood. They became known throughout the country for committing heinous crimes.

Chronology of the Çole gang

• March 1997: Formed the band. It works closely with Vlora Rescue Committee.
• May 7, 1997: taken hostage by dealer Artur Gjoshi and his friend Dove Petriti of Tepelenë. This event brought a fierce clash between the gangs of Vlorë and Tepelenë.
• May 8, 1997: Foto Kola trader kidnapped, then released for 500,000 Lek
  Albanian lek
  The lek is the official currency of Albania. It is subdivided into 100 qindarka , although qindarka are no longer issued.-Names:...
  
   torture.
• May 9, 1997: Bernard Duçka, nicknamed "Kuqo", who had gone to mediate the release of Gjoshi is killed. Opponents to avenge his brother soldier grabbing Zani, Avdyl Bajrami, which kill.
• May 11, 1997: Killed Neritan and Edmond Dedenika.
• May 19, 1997: Killed Arben Latifi, a close friend and Zani Gjergj Cukalla. Niko kills Zani Borakun having tortured him.
• July 1997: hijacked Sokol Kamberi.
• September 28, 1997: Seized Zani Çaushi and members of his gang.
• August 5, 1997: intended to be levied a fine of 10 million Italian lireta Laprake, Tirana.
• June 23, 1997: Mayor kidnapped Novosela, Kanan joke, tortured released after paying 200 million Lek
  Albanian lek
  The lek is the official currency of Albania. It is subdivided into 100 qindarka , although qindarka are no longer issued.-Names:...
  
  .
• 1998: Zani and his friends arrested. Trial held against them, but released for lack of evidence.
• 1999: Zani arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, robbery, weapons possession and rape.

Relations with Committee of Rescue and politics

Coles Banda became the main supporter of the Salvation Committee of Vlore, returning to the armed force of the Committee. Zani retained Rescue Committee delegates from across the country, at their meeting on 28 March 1997. Also he was the bodyguard of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi during his visit to the South in April 1997, after Otranto tragedy. However the relationship between Albert Zani and Shyti, Chairman of the Committee of Salvation were not good. The press stated on 19 April 1997,the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera: Zani is nothing. A member of the Committee, he works alone. You Italians give him more importance. I'm the only one who contend Sali Berisha. I'm the leader!"Zani was supportive of the Socialist Party and opponent of Berisha. He was the bodyguard of Skender Gjinushi during the campaign for the June 1997 elections. Head of Police Commissariat of Vlora, Milton Scimitar set in the post by the Rescue Committee in March 1997, stated to Corriere della Sera: In the South there are five bands. She Zani is an association that helps people armed. There are 12 people that do not cause problems. Zani is one of many compatriots.

Rival gangs

In the South during the riots of 1997, was formed five bands. 3 of them were rival that of Zani, Gang of Gaxhai, Gang of Kakamit and Gang of Pusi i Mezinit

Gang of Pusi i Mezinit

Gang of Pusi i Mezinit was a criminal group with activities throughout southern Albania. Origin of the members of this band was from across the south of the country. Most of them had been imprisoned during the communist regime for crimes. Called by his nickname "The strongest of the South", this...

. The latter was knocked over Massacre of Levan

Massacre of Levan

Levan Massacre occurred on 28 March 1997, and was the bloodiest clash of the riots of 1997. In this violent crash were killed 24 people, 18 white and 6 Roma. The collision was betweengang pit of Brother and Roma residents of the village of Levan in Fier. Banda was known as an opponent of Gang of...

on 28 March 1997. According to a Haxhisë Izet evidence, this band was launched to eliminate Zanin and Rescue Committees who are gathered in Vlora, but was dekonspiruan by state officials. Greatest rivalry of Zani's gang had with the gang of Gaxhai. The clash between them began on 9 May 1997, when Bernard was killed duck, known as Red, Gaxhai gang member. Gaxhai in response attempted to mirrte police armored vehicles to fight with Zanin, but not succeeded. Upon completion of the riots and the arrest of members of two gangs, the war between them ended.