On January 9, 1976, Abaz Kupi (1892-1976) passed away.

In 1912, he supported Esat Pasha Toptani, and later in 1920, he aligned himself with Mustafa Kruja against Ahmet Zogu. Despite their initial differences, following Zogu’s rise to power, Kupi assumed the role of commander in Kruja. Subsequently, he served as a major in the gendarmerie of Durrës from 1932 to 1939.

On April 7, 1939, when the Italians landed in Durres, Kupi, known as “Bazi i Cana,” led a military unit in resistance, valiantly holding the center for 36 hours. Following the invasion of Albania, he departed for Istanbul. In June 1939, his family was exiled to Himare. Kupi returned to his homeland during the Second World War and played a crucial role as one of the main organizers of the Peza Meeting held on September 16, 1942. He was subsequently elected as a member of the National Anti-Fascist Council of Albania (KANÇ).

Abaz Kupi initiated the Mukje Conference held on August 1-2, 1943.

Diverging from Enver Hoxha’s stance, who, in September 1943, opposed the Mukje Agreement reached during the Labinot Conference, Kupi resigned from the Presidency of the General National Liberation Council on November 19, 1943. Subsequently, on November 21, he founded the Legality Movement advocating for the return of King Zog to Albania.

On October 24, 1944, he left his homeland, leaving his family in Shkodër. His son was arrested in 1945, while his wife and daughters were interned first in Tepelena and then in the Myzeqe camps.

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