In 1934, he settled in Tirana, where he wrote articles in the Besa newspaper, in a dedicated section for essays on "Life of great writers" (Albanian: Jetë shkrimtarësh të mëdhenj).

In February 1939, a special court sat in Tirana in judgement of 73 people, including Mala, suspected of communist activities and spreading propaganda.

Among the accused were Tuk Jakova, Vasil Shanto, Vojo Kushi, Branko Kadia, Emin Duraku, and Qemal Stafa.

Communist leader Enver Hoxha showed no sympathy for him, and had already secretly instructed Nako Spiru on 4 April 1944 to silently execute him, as being "not a good one".

[9] He would be released soon after the demise of Koçi Xoxe, but would be arrested again, serving three jail sentences (a total of 60 years) until his death in 1979 inside the hospital-prison in Tirana.