I was interned (or a close relative of mine was a political prisoner). How can I obtain the documents I need for a pension or compensation? And what happens if I don’t know the details well?

If you have been interned, expelled, or a political prisoner, you can submit a request to obtain documents that prove this experience—such as internment/expulsion decisions, name lists, data on forced settlements, or forced labor units. These documents can be used for pension benefits and compensation.
If you are requesting for a deceased close relative, you must be a legal heir and attach a family certificate or inheritance verification.
It is very important that the request mentions the unit where the sentence was served, especially if it involved work in the mines (such as units 303 or 311), because this affects the pension calculation. Even if you do not know this information exactly, the Authority will try to find it through other files or auxiliary archival sources.
The Authority does not issue certificates for political persecution status, as this is not within its competence. However, it provides official archival documents that can be used as evidence in the institutions responsible for status and benefits.
If you were born during internment or were a child during that period, your request can be reviewed through your parents' files, as children were usually not mentioned separately in internment documents. Even in this case, you need to fill out the appropriate form and clearly explain the circumstances.
📄 You can find the form for this type of request here:
👉 Form for individuals regarding internment/expulsion documentation
📧 For any additional questions, contact: info@autoritetidosjeve.gov.al
🌐 More information at: www.autoritetidosjeve.gov.al