Avni Rustemi assassinates Essad Pasha Toptani in Paris

On June 17, 1920, Albanian nationalist Avni Rustemi traveled to Paris and assassinated Essad Pasha Toptani, a former Albanian politician and military leader. Essad Pasha was accused by nationalist factions of collaborating with foreign powers and attempting to divide Albania following the Balkan Wars and World War I.

Rustemi’s assassination of Essad Pasha was motivated by nationalist aims to protect Albanian unity and sovereignty. After carrying out the attack, Rustemi returned to Albania and became a prominent political figure, eventually serving as a member of parliament. He remained a symbol of anti-monarchist and nationalist movements until his assassination in 1924.

The assassination had significant political repercussions in Albania and among the Albanian diaspora in Europe, influencing nationalist movements and the political trajectory of the country during the interwar period.