Hajdari candidly admits that crime has its headquarters at the DP The PS is incapable of breaking with crime The mysteries behind the murders and criminal acts of violence are being laid bare. The DP publicly declares itself the owner of the monopoly on crime, which at the same time holds the lives of Albanians hostage. “No more than 10 days after coming to power, we will restore order and calm,” Mr. Hajdari declared in Fier, at a rally with DP members and supporters. In essence, this is a harsh indictment of the DP. The links with the mafia and organized crime are being brought into the open. Albanians are being told that the headquarters of crime is inside the Democrats’ headquarters and that the DP is holding the lives of hundreds of thousands of citizens hostage in the name of returning to power. It is hardly surprising that a person shaped by a criminal mentality should display such raw candor in Fier. To speak this way means having earned high-ranking positions in the mafia hierarchy. It is clear to Albanian public opinion that post-communist crime originated precisely in the era of Berisha’s rule, when public institutions were replaced by personal power. The DP’s rule criminalized the innocent, while shielding criminals with impunity. Such actions bolstered the prestige of political and common criminals, encouraging pseudo-justice and amnesty. The DP state was a symbol of abuse and criminal complicity. Indeed, the DP built its political barrier on crime. Its electoral vicissitudes have been guided by a mentality of violence and Continued on page 4

The Lazarat gang: 100 accused; the basis for remaining silent is a secret. Accusations against Berisha and the DP. Thefts and destruction, on orders from above The court opens proceedings against the head of the pyramid-scheme fraud. Çaushi of Vlora is released

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Crime Justice 1998 Illustration: a masked figure holds a gun over a man labeled “JUSTICE.”

Mediu: The political class must either find a solution or resign Page 4 Photograph of a man in a suit.

□ Gramoz Ruçi climbs the pyramid Parliament shows its teeth Today Berisha’s party takes to the streets in mourning Page 4 □ Tirana travels to Tropojë SHIK’s links to the massacre under investigation Striking lawyers distribute amnesties Page 5 □ Shots fired at the police van Refugees return Fake identity cards were supplied by mafia members Kurds, saboteurs in Kakavijë Page 6 □ Night-time shots fired at the Kukës Police Commissariat Krujë, O blessed city, do not wait for Skënderbe Page 7 □ Smuggling connections entangle jurisdictions Customs authorities denounce Customs Crime kills, the Government holds meetings Page 2

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