Republican Guard (Albania)
| Republican Guard of Albania Garda e Republikës |
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|---|---|
Standard of the Republican Guard of Albania
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| Active | 1928 — present |
| Country |
 Albania
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| Allegiance | Albanian Police; Albanian Armed Forces |
| Branch | Independent |
| Type | |
| Role |
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| Headquarters | Tirana |
| Anniversaries | June, 24 |
| Website | http://garda.gov.al |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-chief | Gramos Sako |
The Republican Guard (Albanian: Garda e Republikës) is a militarized government agency of Albania, tasked with the protection of several, mandated by the relevant law, high-ranking state officials, including the President of Albania, as well as certain national properties, high-ranking foreign visitors and diplomatic offices. It is mostly subordinated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with only the part responsible for the incumbent president's security being under the authority of the President of Albania.
The Guard was established on 24 June 1928 as a part of Albanian Armed Forces. The current commander in charge is General Gramos Sako, who is the 24th commander in his story.
The Guard of the Republic was estabilished as a necessity in the late 1920s when President Ahmet Zogu (later King Zog I) demanded the reorganization of the Albanian Armed Forces and the creation of a special unit, separated by Milicia and Gendarmerie, which the main duty would be to protect the highest state personalities and the important buildings (such as Institutions; Banks; personalities houses; etc.). The official creation of the Guard was made on 24 June 2028 with a decree of the same year. Gardes also gave you ceremonial assignments. On 1 September 1928, Albania was transformed into a kingdom, and President Zogu became Zog I, King of the Albanians. The Guard changed the name to "Royal Guard of Albania", but the duties in most of them remain the same. Hysen Selmani was appointed Commander-in-chief.
In November 1929, the law "On the Organization of Armed Forces" was promulgated, which changed the structure of the unit. The structure of the Guard consisted on:
After the World War II, the Guard would be named: Special Battalion of the General Staff, being a structure within the People's Defense Division (DMP).
In February 1947, the department was appointed for the first time The Guard of the Republic. By the end of the 40s, the Guard began to recruit new effectives with the conscription service because until then its organic consisted of ex-Partisans of the Albanian National Liberation Army (UNÇSH). In 1951, the Guard became part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which charged that with the function of preserving and securing the high-ranking state officials and important members of the communist party. During these years until November 1968, the Guard was strengthened and modernized, and the number of his units went over 600.
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