Desertion of 4 March 1997

Part of the
1997 rebellion in Albania
Fighting groups
Forum for Democracy · Committee of Public Salvation · Government of National Salvation · Operation Alba · Volunteer Forces
Gang of Çole · Gang of Gaxhai · Gang of Altin Dardha · Gang of Pusi i Mezinit · Gang of Cërrik · Gang of Lushnje · Gang of Tepelena · Gang of Haklaj Family
Massacres in 1997
Massacre of 28 February 1997 · Massacre of Qafë-Gjashta · Massacre of Levan · Massacre of Cërrik · Massacre of Ura Vajgurore
Tragedies of 1997
Otranto Tragedy · Qafë Shtama Tragedy
Treasury thefts
Krraba Stealing · Nortgern State Stealing
Rescue missions
Operation Silver Wake · Operation Libelle
Agreements
6 March 1997 · 9 March 1997
UN Resolutions
Resolution 1101 · Resolution 1114
Important events
Opening of the depots · Desertion of 4 March 1997 · Attack of 7-8 March 1997 on Gjirokastër · Visit of Romano Prodi · Albanian parliamentary election, 1997 · Albanian monarchy referendum, 1997
See also
Pyramid schemes in Albania · Role of media in 1997 · Literature on the events of 1997 · Conspiracy theories about 1997
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Desertion of 4 March 1997 (Albanian: Dezertimi i 4 Marsit 1997) was 2 desertion of the Air Force pilots to RA, and Agron Dajçi Ardian Elezi, and their departure to Italy. The incident caused a diplomatic scandal and irritation of the situation between the rebels and the government.

The event

On 4 March 1997, at 15:30, two pilots of the Regiment from 4020 to Rinas airport and head off towards the south of the country. During their return flight to Italy and decided to land at the Air Base Galattina of Lecce, in southern Italy. They manage to escape radar plane piloted by only 15 meters from sea level and only detected when Italian forces down. The government later demanded the repatriation of two deserters.

Assumptions on event

Pilots say they were ordered by the government to strike Mifol Bridge, connecting with Fier Vlore, in order to isolate the insurgency. As they said, not wanting to hit civilians, they fled to Italy. But the fact that the aircraft did not caught the radar, even though a plane is weak and difficult to be piloted at low altitude, suggests that the evacuation plan was parapregatitur Italy and not a plan of the moment as the pilots say.

References

• [1]
• Youtube: desertion of March 1997
• Top Youtube-Channel: Events of 1997