Isa Boletini

1864 – 1916

Freedom Fighter
Albanian Insurgent Leader

Isa Boletini, was an Albanian insurgent from the Vilayet of Kosovo. Born in the family's tower at Boletin, he took part in the League of Prizren in his youth. Later he became a leading figure in the uprisings against the Young Turks and a delegate at the Assembly of Vlora.

Boletin, near Mitrovica

Born: 15 January 1864Boletin
Died: 23 January 1916Podgorica
Title: Bej
Family: Maksutaj brotherhood of the Shala tribe
Region: Vilayet of KosovoMitrovica area
Known as: Isa Bey

Why He Matters

Leader of the 1910 and 1912 uprisings
He led Albanian insurgents against the Young Turk government, fighting at the Kaçanik gorge and Çernalevë and taking part in the Junik assembly of 1912.
Delegate at Vlora
He arrived at the Assembly of Vlora as a representative of Mitrovica and was tasked with organizing the national militia.
Honoured legacy
His name is borne by schools, streets, neighbourhoods and squares across ethnic Albania, and by a special battalion of the Albanian army.

Key Moments

1864
Born in Boletin
Isa was born in the family's tower at Boletin, son of Adem and Aishe.
1881
Battle of Slivova
After the League of Prizren was founded, he fought regular Ottoman forces at Slivova on 22 April.
1910
Uprising in Kosovo
He led heavy fighting against the army of Turgut Pasha, including at Çernalevë, where the insurgents held the Ottoman army for two days.
1912
Junik assembly and Vlora
He took part in the Junik assembly in May and arrived at the Assembly of Vlora as Mitrovica's representative.
1913
Journey to London
With Ismail Qemali and others he boarded the Duke of Montpensier's yacht and landed at Brindisi on 1 April.
23 Jan 1916
Killed at Podgorica
He was killed in an ambush by Montenegrins at Podgorica, together with 17 companions according to one account.