The tragic hour for the pyramid schemes. Sudja dies with the name of the state on her lips Wednesday was unlucky for “Gjalliça” too. Concerns about Gërxhalliu’s health. Kadria in Istanbul.

The unexpected item served up by Albanian television last night was the report it broadcast about yesterday’s events at Sudja. Indeed, making use of all the advantages of its staff and the resources at its disposal, Sudja’s face took over the television screen, without saying anything more than what people already knew. The prolonged silence of the state and of its public information media—newspapers and news broadcasts—was truly astonishing, almost infuriating, even when the boom surrounding these events became dominant not only in the Albanian press, but also on foreign radio stations and in the European press. There may be many factors, visible or invisible, political or simply economic, ethical or connected with indirect interests, that had made the state and its voice fall silent in the face of coverage—or even simple reporting—of this topic, which is impossible to leave out of any conversation, including the everyday conversations of every Albanian. The wavering handling of this problem caused it to remain taboo for journalists and television executives even when every line of information about it had become far more valuable and coveted by all newspaper journalists, whether pro-government or not, and when the lack of news about it was a paradox not only for newspaper editors, but also for their eager readers. Continued on p. 8

Late-breaking news The arrest of the moneylender, who declared herself bankrupt yesterday, happened sooner than expected. Last night it was learned that Sudja had been taken into custody at the Police Station. Rather than a punishment, this measure seems to be for her protection. Considering the anger of the thousands of clients she deceived, it would be hard to find a better place to protect Sudja than the secure rooms of the police. Perhaps her statement on Television prompted the Prosecutor’s Office to begin an investigation.

Bashkim Driza risks 5 years in prison over 70 thousand dollars Minors drawn into criminal activities The Bible does not allow us to serve in the army p. 2 Kurt Kola supports the socialists Deputy Zaçe saves her constituents p. 3

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