Former General Prosecutor and former Head of the High Court in communism, Aranit Çela has passed away at the age of 98. 

Arianit Çela known as the "executioner" of the communist era has been the protagonist of many political trials that have led to the shooting of many political figures of the time, starting with Kadri Hazbiu, Petrit Dume and Beqir Balluku and others. 

Aranit Çela was arrested on November 3, 1993 and convicted of the criminal offense of Abuse of Duty in Cooperation with the consequent unlawful violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms and to the detriment of the life of the person. Despite this, he was released from prison in the events of 1997. 

Life of Aranit Çela 

Aranit Çela (Vlora, 1923 or 1924 - 2018) was among the most notorious prosecutors and judges of the communist regime. For his contribution to over 650 political processes, historians describe him as Vishinski of communism in Albania. 

The son of Hysen and Emine was born in Vlora in 1924, his family originated from Kanina. At the age of fifteen his father died, about whom he wrote in his 1954 autobiography "he was an alcoholic and very little related to the family… My family has suffered quite financially. This is also because, as I said above, he has always been an alcoholic and completely careless element of his family.” 

In the years 1935-1942 he attended the Commercial Institute of Vlora. With the advent of the fascist regime, Aranit Çela was among the children who spent a month on holiday in Italy (Pezaro) in the summer of 1939. On March 17, 1941, he unsuccessfully applied for a job in the Judicial Registry Office at the fascist regime's Ministry of Justice. In April-May 1942, Aranit Çela was detained. Several tracts were found in his house, but the fascist regime was generous and sentenced him to probation. 

On January 10, 1943 he became a member of the SNP in the Mallakastra organization, but he became a partisan only in November of this year. In July 1944 he was a member of the 14th Communist Brigade, and then, until March 1945, of the 3rd Communist Division. 

In March 1945-September 1946, Aranit Çela was a military prosecutor in Shkodra, the city where the most terrible political processes of the time took place daily. In 1946-1948 he continued with this quality but in the Korça division. In 1948-1949 he was assistant prosecutor of the Military Prosecution. 

In the years 1949-1953 he studied law in the Soviet Union. In 1953-1954 he was vice-chairman of the State Security Investigation Branch. In 1954-1955 prosecutor in the General Prosecutor's Office. In 1955 - 1958 and 1966 - 1990 head of the High Court. In 1958 - 1966 Attorney General. In 1958 - 1991 he was a member of the People's Assembly and a member of the Central Committee of the Albanian Labor Party.

Arrested on November 3, 1993 and sentenced on the charge "For the criminal offense of abuse of office in cooperation resulting in illegal violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms and to the detriment of the life of the person, provided by the articles of the Criminal Code. Nevertheless, he was released from prison in the events of 1997. The justice of the time acquitted him and ordered his ransom.