1. Isa Boletini participated in the Albanian Declaration of Independence in Vlore and was then assigned as a diplomatic agent to the British, and bodyguard of Prince Wilhelm of Albania.
25 Facts About Isa Boletini
1. 2.
Isa Boletini was killed during a shoot-out in Podgorica under unclear circumstances in January 1916.
3.
Isa Boletini was born in the village of Boletin near Mitrovica, then part of the Ottoman Empire.
4.
Isa Boletini's family were Albanian Muslims which had migrated to Boletin from the village of Isniq near Decan, due to a blood feud though they ultimately hailed from Shala, in northern Albania.
5.
Isa Boletini's son Mustafa was a rebel leader in the Balkan Wars.
6.
Isa Boletini established a substantial influence in his native region, a power that often brought him into complex and contentious interactions with the local community.
7.
Isa Boletini withdrew his forces before a decision could be made realizing the weakness of his position.
8.
Isa Boletini was loyal to the sultan though in 1908 Boletini had given his initial support to the Young Turks and later fought against their government.
9.
Isa Boletini was deputy of Kosovo in the Ottoman Assembly between 1908 and 1912.
10.
Isa Boletini scoffed at the charges, cursed the Young Turk revolution and threw the Ottoman authorities out.
11.
Ottoman forces arrived at his stronghold shortly after, resulting in an attack and fierce firefight with Isa Boletini escaping with a small group of men and his kulla was razed to the ground.
12.
Isa Boletini took an important role in the Albanian Revolt of 1910.
13.
Kosovo Albanians went on the offensive and with 2,000 men Isa Boletini attacked Firzovik and Prizren.
14.
Isa Boletini resisted the Ottoman army at Carraleva for two days.
15.
Isa Boletini later escaped as the Ottomans put down the rebellion.
16.
Isa Boletini intended to use Montenegro as a base for incursions into Ottoman Albania.
17.
In springtime 1912, Isa Boletini led a revolt in Kosovo, with surprising victories after victories against the Turks.
18.
The Albanian side accepted, abandoned further national claims, and had Isa Boletini pacified and returned to his home.
19.
Isa Boletini contributed in the protection of Vlora government, while later was part of the Albanian delegation to the London Conference together with Ismail Qemali, Albanian head of government.
20.
The flag of Isa Boletini was used for the first time at the Assembly of Isniq in 1910.
21.
Isa Boletini was tall, well-built, and strong, with great reputation, whose deeds of bravery and escapes from Turks and Serbs had become legends in Albania.
22.
Isa Boletini was noted for always wearing the traditional Albanian qeleshe white cap and national dress.
23.
Isa Boletini is considered one of Albania's greatest patriots and heroes.
24.
Isa Boletini's ideas influenced the likes of Mid'hat Frasheri and prominent Albanian nationalists.
25.
The Isa Boletini Monument is a heroic statue of Boletini in Shkoder, in northwestern Albania.