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The secrets of the 160-km journey, the escort, and Zani’s lunch without handcuffs Page 7

By Dalip GRECA Yesterday, the Albanian Minister of Justice tried to wash his hands of the matter, attempting to create an alibi, but he did not believe it himself. Minister Kondi’s statement last night left Albanians watching their screens speechless. His alibi is unlike a conventional alibi: it does not express the lexical meaning carried by the word alibi itself. But, after all, as with every alibi, Kondi is trying to disassociate himself from the time and place of the incident (or crime). Through his statements, Kondi wants to tell Albanians: when Zani Çaushi was released, I was not there. But where were you, Mr. Minister of (In)Justice of Albania? Zani’s release had been announced before prosecutor Hana brought forward the charge, which was not corroborated by the witnesses who were never called. A state that cannot bring witnesses into the courtroom cannot claim to distinguish guilt from innocence, the murderer from the victim, truth from falsehood. The opposition press had announced Zani’s release well in advance, but Kondi pretended not to hear it. Our Minister of Justice forgets what he said on camera the day Chief Prosecutor Rakipi tried to play the clean-hands card and called prosecutor Hana “mentally ill.” Not much time had passed—in fact, only a few hours—and the prosecutor handling the case had…

“This 22 March,” Berisha said, “finds us today with mafia plans having turned Albania into a project of crime, into a speedboat republic.” “Therefore,” the Democratic leader continued, inviting Albanians to protest for new elections, “we must welcome the new century with the victory of democracy.” The same demand was voiced yesterday by the Deputy Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Jozefina Topalli: “We are here today to call for new elections, which are the only way to get the country out of the crisis into which it has sunk.” Other leaders of the BPD also spoke at the rally, along with representatives of political prisoners, students, and one of the leaders of the creditors’ association, who called on Nano and Majko to keep their promise to return… Page 14

Berisha’s rally surrounds the Prime Minister’s Office with machine guns Hajdaraga: Let the Serbs try it, if they dare Pages 2–3

visit: www.albaniaonline.net (see page 7)

• Fighting in Gjirokastër; a Lazarat man wounded Page 7 • Alimuçaj: The state forged my signature Page 8 • Letter to the Chief Prosecutor: The court concealed the evidence Page 10 • Life Is Beautiful for Roberto Be-nigni Page 13 • New elections bring together DP MPs Page 3 Sports: • Hafizi: Here is my anti-Slovenia • Lazio pulls away Page 15