They face from ten years in prison to the death penalty The trial of the 5 figures begins on 15 August TIRANA — The date for the beginning of the trial has now been set — 15 August 1994 — against five figures of the organization “Omonia”, who were arrested three months ago by the Prosecutor’s Office. It will be Martin Deda, the deputy president of the Tirana Court, who will preside over the trial panel — the two assessors have not yet been appointed — and he will ultimately decide the fate of the 5 minorities. Thus, on Monday at 9:00 a.m., Theodhor Bezhani, Vangjel Papakristo, Panajot Marta, Kosta Çuka (?) and Irakli Serbo will appear in the courtroom charged with the offense of “treason against the homeland in the form of espionage activity in cooperation with the secret services of Greece and to the detriment of the Republic of Albania”, punishable even by the death penalty. Meanwhile, the prosecutor in the case is Bledar Zëran(?), and Sermo and Qirjako — there is also another charge: “illegal possession of weapons”. The investigative file in this case was finally sent to the Court by the Prosecutor’s Office two weeks ago, and the defendants themselves were ознакомлены with it on Thursday 20 July. Exactly three months earlier, on 21 April of this year, the arrest measure had been taken against the figures of “Omonia”. During the search carried out by the public order authorities, in addition to unlicensed weapons, many other materials were found — maps of Albania on which part of the South had been handed over to Greece, documents, calls for Vorio-Epirus and many others deemed unconstitutional. (s.p.) The border with Greece

How the precious objects journeyed SKANDERBEG’S RELICS / Suessmuth: “We will help you” TIRANA — It was good news for all Albanians. The chances seem to be increasing that two of the most valuable objects in their history will return to the homeland, the pride and relics, the sword of the legendary hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu — objects known to every Albanian — and now, locked away in an exhibition in a museum in Vienna, may one day see the light with the hope of returning home. During the speech delivered in the Albanian Parliament, the President of the German Parliament, Suessmuth, said: “I will recommend to the Austrians that they consider the possibility of returning these objects to Albania”. TIRANA — More than a bridge in the “hard days of the arbër”, when exhausted and crushed Albanians were then forced to submit to Ottoman rule. Skanderbeg’s family, established in the possessions of King Alfonso of Naples, took them with them as precious keepsakes. Their later “adventures” — like many objects belonging to the legendary heroes of the Middle Ages — are nothing more than a series of transfers from one collector to another. The scholar and historian Kasem Biçoku, in a long article, traces this journey. Many years after the hero’s death, in 1515, his weapons were in the hands of his grandson Gjon Kastrioti. He, who lived in Italy, sold them to Duke Ferdinand of Tyrol, a passionate collector. Later the objects were placed in Ambras Castle in Innsbruck. Precisely in this museum, according to Kasem Biçoku, they have been preserved to this day as part of the famous arms collection. The first analogous attempt to return these relics was made in 1968. At that time the Albanian government had formally requested their return, but the request was rejected. Austrian authorities argued that the collector who owned Skanderbeg’s collection had bought them with full rights and that the museum had great significance. The long journey of the sword and the helmet has p...[?] The helmet and sword of Skanderbeg ...preferred to close themselves off in his giant collection rather than submit to power. In 1567 Ferdinand, from his castle in Innsbruck, began sending letters to nobles in all corners of Europe, eager to add the “glorious” weapons kept in his castle. One such letter reached the Count of Urbino at a time when he had bought the sword and helmet. Thus, after several negotiations, Skanderbeg’s objects ended up in Austria, where they remain today. In 1603 the entire collection of Ferdinand was assembled there and the sole imperial one merged into that exhibition in a museum in Belvedere, where Naim Frashëri also sees them. In the museum where they are preserved, they were placed there at the end of the last century. f.b.

Press Journalists on strike against taxes CARLO BOLLINO TIRANA — The problem is becoming increasingly acute, economic difficulties are turning into a crisis, and part of the Albanian newspapers decided to take the “fight”, the harshest and most tragic form of the democratic movement, to the hunger strike. Meanwhile, starting today, 11 Albanian newspapers will not be printed, for the 11 government kiosks to take the initiative in defense of the press. The newspapers on strike are “Koha Jonë”, “Dita”, “Populli Po”, “Kombi”, “Alternativa”, “Java Demokratike”, “Java”. The strike committee, specially created, announces that the protest will end only when the government cancels all the orders and circulars against taxes on the import of printing paper, printing machinery, circulation taxes on newspapers and telecommunication charges. We try to see from the government what the reasons are for such measures. Customs duties on the import of printing material are truly strange; the issue concerns taxes paid on photochemical materials, which are not produced in Albania. There are two possibilities: either paper production in Albania should resume, or taxes on its import should be eliminated. A second oddity concerns the circulation tax on newspapers: a few months ago the government halved it for books. Why not abolish it also for newspapers, which from an economic point of view are a product identical to the book? The tax on advertising (considered a service) is also inexplicable. In the case of printing an advertisement, it represents, for publishing companies, part of the profits that, together with revenue from newspaper sales, make up their income. If companies already pay taxes on income, why impose yet another tax? The President of the Republic, speaking to journalists about a month ago, declared that he fully understood the problem. He promised not to be an obstacle to a free press — in the interest of democracy and a free and protected press. Then came the government’s promise to begin negotiations with journalists in order to put an end to the unrest. Now the Strike Committee stands precisely by that promise and asks the government to intervene. Gazeta Shqiptare, which has joined the protest as part of a broader effort to defend press freedom through the preparation of a debate, will begin with the publication of all the newspapers on strike.

Every year 4,000 people suffer from it... TIRANA — “Beware of dogs!” That is the new appeal now coming from health specialists. The almost “epidemic” spread of these animals is now accompanied by concern over the possible danger of rabies appearing. This deadly disease can be transmitted to humans through a bite. In fact, in Albania more than 4,000 people a year fall victim to dogs’ teeth. “The uncontrolled increase in the number of this animal has worsened the situation,” Gani Kushi, a specialist at the Institute of Hygiene, tells Gazeta Shqiptare — “fortunately so far there has been no case of rabies, but the risk always remains high.” In fact, the appearance of even a single case would have consequences. Rabies is one of the most serious diseases; it appears with signs of fear of air currents or water, leading to contraction and paralysis of the heart muscles — and can end in the death of the bitten person. “The vaccine is used to fight it only after the disease appears — Kushi explains — and it is very painful for the patient because it must be given in 16 to 23 doses.” Meanwhile this vaccine — still produced here using the old Pasteur method — may in many people also cause complications, leading to damage to the central nervous system and even paralysis. Ar. Me.

— It was an absurd death that cast a shadow of sadness over all of Shkodër. A musician from the “Besëlidhja” orchestra was killed in a car collision while returning from a village with a friend. The bicycle he was riding in the darkness of the night was hit by a car traveling at high speed. The only witness to the event was a late passerby who later called emergency services. It was too late for the young musician. Meanwhile, the “aggressor” car immediately fled the scene and is now being sought by the Police. Na. Me.

They want the release of their fellow villager GJIROKASTËR — The arrest of a 35-year-old man from the village of Lazarat in Gjirokastër by the public order authorities risked causing a dangerous confrontation. On Saturday evening, while citizens were traveling by car toward Gjirokastër, a group of residents of Gjirokastër had gathered a large police force. The reason was the blocking of the national road. The crowd was moving along the stones of the city, at the place called “Trotuari i Kakaresë”, between the villages of Lazarat — signs were being made to vehicles — villagers from Lazarat made a protest gesture [??] against the public order authorities, who “had stopped their fellow villager from being taken away”. The call for his release forced the Prefect of Gjirokastër and the highest local authorities to intervene in order to calm the villagers and open the blocked road. Later, around 20:30 — through an operation by the public order forces — the road was cleared, even eliminating a dangerous confrontation. According to the public order authorities, the 35-year-old from Lazarat had been detained because he had not respected the law on the protection of public order. Although the situation later normalized, on Sunday, the day after the incident — near the Gjirokastër Police Station — large police forces as well as rapid intervention units were seen. (Ra.Ko.)

In Laç LAC — Two young men became victims of a quarrel that took place in the center of Lezhë[?] on Monday evening. One of them, 19 years old, lost his life as a result of a bullet that hit his heart, while his friend, 25 years old, was injured by a pistol shot with a wound in stable condition. According to testimony given from the scene and some initial information from the Police, it is believed there were gunshots and that [??] was used during the village. The stance of the curves seems not to have pleased the ambushers from the shots[?], and the shooter immediately pulled out a revolver and fired at them. After the killing, the perpetrator fled in an unknown direction. (a.m.)

CURSIVE REALITY GJIROKASTËR — The story of this stolen cow, when it reached the doors of the Court of Appeal in Vlorë, was opened to laughter and has made things more expensive. Goats, made alive by the first-instance court where there had been so many doubts. He is considered guilty for all of a cow and sentenced to months in prison, said the president of the trial panel in the session ruling, while the defendant P. Dh. now remained in place [??]. The story of the cow, about which it is said that the Court of Appeal of Vlorë will now decide, seems to have interested the citizens of Gjirokastër greatly. No one pronounces, quietly buried with his village. It remembers [??] has come to the aid from hour to hour. Yes. careful as ever, and with some cow and K. with pain as usual, has not forgotten his cow so far away where he shared its absence where so many people there, huh? alarmed. Alarmed, the villagers ran out into the [??] of the night to chase the thief. At first no one saw, and in the end even the trace of [??] was found. This was the simple story of fate. But the trial also happened to it. The Appeal takes the right v. for cow. Ra.Ko.

Milosevic criticizes Karaxhiq On page 2 They beat a prostitute and are detained On page 2 Prices rise in the retail market On page 3

TIRANA, A 52-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN HOSPITAL FOLLOWING A CAR ACCIDENT A 52-year-old woman is in very serious condition as a result of a car accident; the 32-year-old from Tirana, Shyqyre Mezini. The incident occurred around 21:00 at the Laprakë road intersection when Mezini was walking with a child in her arms. A car passing nearby at high speed hit her and threw her 70 meters away. KAVAJE, THE BEACH OVERWHELMED BY CARS AND UNLICENSED KIOSKS The alarm syndrome has now passed and the beach of Kavaja is in question. More than 10 kilometers of coastline are being covered by numerous cars that were parked everywhere, thus causing troubling pollution for the environment. To this phenomenon, numerous kiosks have been added, many of which are neither aesthetically pleasing nor licensed. A JOINT ALBANIAN-FRENCH SPELEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY Yesterday the joint Albanian-French speleological expedition began in the karst areas in the south of the country. This expedition — made possible after the twinning of Tirana with Marseille — will explore the well-known caves of the south such as those of Skotini, Jergucat, Pusi i Bardhë and Mezhgoran. Along with the French specialists is Klod Tulumdjan, one of the world’s best speleological divers.

This space on this page is for your economic notices. Send your message to one of all 15 branches in the district, at our addresses: In Tirana: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370, or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. State your exact name so that others may contact you, along with your name and address. DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY? FOR RENT — a two-room apartment and a kitchen, on the third floor. Address: Rruga “Kongresi i Manastirit”, near the school “Xhoxhi [??]”. Interested parties should contact the kiosk next to the National Theater. WANTED TO BUY — used but in good condition washing machines. Address: former Party school, phone preferably central or no. 23516 with extension 210. FOR RENT — an apartment or room and a kitchen (storage), with a balcony and water for a few hours of the day, located near “Lodrave të Fëmijëve” on Elbasani Street in Tirana. Interested parties should contact 24020. FOR SALE — a two-story villa with rooms, near the cemetery (warehouse), veranda, 400 m² garden. Address: Rruga “Mihal Duri” Tirana. Tel. no. 7721. Interested parties can contact 27204. FOR RENT — a shop of about 75 square meters. Address: Rruga “Bajram Curri”, Building 121 (near the city “Pikë-Lips”), Interested parties should contact: Building Shquka, Rruga “Qemal Stafa”, Building 97, Entrance 2, No. 27 in Tirana. FOR RENT — a warehouse 6 x 8.75 square meters. Interested parties should contact at the address: Rruga “1 Maji” (ndyrr? of Durrës), Building no. 115. FOR SALE — a video recorder, almost unused. Also bought because one is not taken and a loudspeaker. Contact in Durrës at phone number 055/23757 from 08:00. FOR SALE — a “MAN” truck, 10 tons and with very good credit. Price 450,000 lekë. Contact in Durrës at phone number 084/[??]. 93757 FOR RENT or FOR SALE — a two-story house with 4 rooms per floor. The house is bomet[?] 400 square meters. It is built and usable. Contact at the address: Rruga “Ibrahim Pasha”, number 44, Telephone 73496 in Tirana. OFFER — a wool carpet with folk motifs and am looking for a set of armchairs in good condition. Address: Rruga “Petrina Kumbit”, address: neighborhood 4, building 32, Sarandë. FOR SALE — a two-room apartment and a kitchen, on the fourth floor. Address: Rruga “Perlat Rexhepi”, building 9/1,2, in Tirana 04471. FOR RENT — a villa with shop premises and with uses. Address: Rruga “Floresha Myteveli” (opposite the court) Korçë, Phone in Korçë —— in Tirana 42271.