Qazim Koculi

Qazim Koculi (August 22, 1887 – January 2, 1943) was an Albanian politician of the early 20th century and one-day acting Prime Minister of Albania. He was also a distinguished military leader, having won the Vlora War in 1920, as the principal military commander of the Albanian forces.

Early life
Qazim, son of Muhamet Kociu, was born Qazim Muhameti in 1887, in the village of Koculi, close to Vlorë (in the then Ottoman Empire, now modern Albania). Koculi received his primary education in Vlorë and later moved to Ioannina, Greece to attend the Zosimea Gymnasium. He accomplished his higher education at the Kara Harp Okulu Turkish Military Academy, graduating as a Teğmen (Second Lieutenant). He was appointed to the Ottoman Navy as a Üsteğmen (First Lieutenant).

He disobeyed a military order in 1909 during a naval battle in Preveza by refusing to surrender to the Italian Navy. After a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Imperial Command, Koculi fled to Argentina, where he resided until 1912.

He then returned to Vlorë upon the invitation of President Ismail Qemali. The latter appointed him Director of the Port of Vlorë, a position he held until the takeover of the port by the Italians in October 1914. He withdrew to Brataj, Vlorë and served as a village chief until 1917. He later served as vice prefect of Tepelenë until 1919.

Vlora War and politics
Koculi represented Vlorë in the Congress of Lushnjë, a constituent assembly held in January 1920, and was hence appointed member of parliament. He was also Prefect of Vlorë on May 29, 1920. At the same time he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Vlora War Committee. Koculi led his army to victory over the Italian forces in the Battle of Vlora, at the end of which, on September 3, 1920, he marched into the city and took back the duties of the Vlorë prefecture.

Upon the establishment of a democratic government by the Congress of Lushnjë, the first elections for the national legislature were held on April 5, 1921, Koculi won the Vlorë district.

Koculi was Minister of Public Works in the Government of Fan Noli by pursuing a policy of opposition to King Zogu. He later (1943) became a member of the Albanian Fascist Party and became an instrument of the oppressors

Koculi was murdered by the communist Albanian guerrillas while he was trying to negotiate on behalf of the Fascist Party that peace between the Fascist regime and the communist guerrillas was possible.