Tomorrow at the Court of Appeal the aid scandal “The Nano file has been manipulated” The lawyer of the PS leader on the offensive It is alleged that pages were removed from the documentation and that there are fictitious figures EDMOND LACI TIRANE — "In the Nano file there is manipulated evidence; from an inspection of 200-300 pages, there are documents that have been dismissed and left unnumbered, with torn and removed pages, as well as printed materials that do not appear as part of the file." These claims were made yesterday by Fatos Nano’s lawyer, Maks Haxhia, at the preliminary hearing in the Court of Appeal, where it begins tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. — he denounced to Gazeta Shqiptare the irregularities in his client’s file. After the sentence of 12 years’ deprivation of liberty — handed down by the Tirana Court as well — Fatos Nano has appealed, asking to be declared innocent. The lawyer said that "documents have been removed, changed, and replaced" and that "not all the materials relevant to the case have been included." According to him, there are "fictitious figures" in the file, while the accusation of 9.4 million dollars in aid is unsupported by proper documentation. "We have submitted a series of objections to the file records, to its omissions, and to inconsistencies with reality," Haxhia said. He added that some of the materials presented by the prosecution are photocopies, without the corresponding originals and without verification of the source. Lawyer Sanxhaku — presumably another defense counsel in the case — said that Nano himself is shedding light on the file and on the manipulations carried out with the documents. Former Prime Minister Nano on trial He stated that fundamental documents are missing concerning the aid, its distribution, and its final destinations. "The figures do not add up, the pages do not match and the file inventory is not accurate," he said. According to the defense, there are documents proving that the aid was distributed institutionally and not for abusive purposes. On the other hand, the prosecution insists that this is a case of misuse and misappropriation. In conclusion, the lawyer said that tomorrow’s hearing in the Court of Appeal will request a full verification of all documentation, a reassessment of the evidence, and the exclusion of manipulated materials. "We will prove that the aid was not stolen, but that the file was manipulated," he said.

Muslims Large celebrations for Kurban Bajrami TIRANE — Thousands of Muslim believers took part yesterday, from early morning, in the traditional Hytbe prayer on the occasion of the Kurban Bajrami holiday. The ceremony, held in the large square of Namazgjaja in Tirana, was led by the Chairman of the Albanian Muslim Community, Hafiz Sabri Koçi. The highest state authorities then sent congratulations to the entire Muslim community on the occasion of the important holiday, which also temporarily closes this year’s cycle of religious celebrations for Muslims. A special greeting was sent to the believers present from President Berisha. Yesterday, after the great prayer, hundreds of sacrificial animals were offered in every believer’s home throughout the country. This year, for the first time, the animals were contributed by large wholesale associations or various traders. According to believers, this method was seen as more beneficial for poor families. In many areas, after the religious rites, family visits and lunches were held.

The Security Council addresses the Government “Albania must stop Montenegrin smuggling” Every night, 60 clandestine speedboats set off from Montenegro TIRANE — For a long time, unpunished smuggling activity by Montenegrin groups has also been taking place near Albanian territory. The Security Council, in a special document, has addressed the Albanian government, urging it to take immediate measures to prevent the illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons, and cigarettes in the territories under its jurisdiction. The concern was conveyed in a letter from the Chairman of the Committee of the Security Council for Yugoslavia, which was sent to the Albanian permanent representative to the United Nations, Pëllumb Kulla. Sander Larsen, the author of the letter, notes that around 60 speedboats leave Montenegro every night with smuggled cargo and that many of them use Albanian areas to avoid inspection. The letter also states that illegal trade in oil, weapons, and other goods has been observed, as well as the movement of fast boats near the Albanian coast. The Security Council calls for greater cooperation between the Albanian authorities and international structures. Along with this, Tirana is reminded of its obligation to control its own territory and waters. Attached to the letter is a reproduction of an UN document. At the end, it is underlined that Albania must take clear and visible measures to stop this activity, which does not originate from its territory but uses it as a transit route.

SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT IN SARANDE — One person dead and 8 others seriously injured is the toll of a severe car accident that occurred at the entrance to the city of Sarande. This according to the police as well. The accident happened when a Toyota with foreign plates collided with a Skoda with Albanian plates. After the collision of the two powerful vehicles, 4-year-old Skënder [?] [?]. TEPELENE, A FOUNDATION FINANCES INFRASTRUCTURE IN VILLAGES — There are four villages in Tepelene that are soon expected to be linked to one another by road. Based on funding from the Rural Development Foundation, the first 3 kilometers of this road have now been completed, at a cost of 6 million lekë. This foundation also plans to connect other areas. ALBANIAN-CANADIAN COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF OIL EXTRACTION — Two high-ranking Canadian officials in the oil industry visited Albania: Don Wilson, Director for Europe and the Mediterranean of Alberta’s Economic Development of Tourism, and Konrad Agz, Director of the Alberta Oil Research Institute — during meetings with Albanian authorities at the Ministry of Mineral and Energy Resources — promised concrete material and financial assistance for Albanian specialists and staff in this field.

A 54-year-old man ELBASAN — Perhaps only the courageous intervention of 54-year-old Bashkim Arapi saved three small children, and with them also a mother, from a serious tragedy. The incident happened in a house in Elbasan, where a fire had broken out in the evening. The first person to go into the flames to pull out the children was Bashkim Arapi, who suffered burns to his body and face. According to doctors, his condition is serious but not life-threatening. The children and the mother were pulled out in time and escaped without serious injuries. Neighborhood residents and the fire service managed to extinguish the flames. The case has been regarded as a rare example of civic courage.

Committee for the Defense of Autocephaly protests Removal of Janullatos demanded He did not appoint an Albanian bishop TIRANE — A controversy has erupted once again between the "Committee for the Defense of the Autocephaly of the Albanian Orthodox Church" and Orthodox Archbishop Anastas Janullatos. During a meeting of this committee, a call was also made to raise the voice against Janullatos. The reason for the renewed polemic was the selection of a bishop for appointment within the structures of the Orthodox Church, where, according to the committee, the promise to choose an Albanian cleric was not respected. The committee demands that the church hierarchy not sideline local elements and that Albanian autocephaly be respected. In their statement, committee members stress that the Albanian Orthodox community needs national representation at the highest levels of the church. Janullatos, on the other hand, defends the procedures followed and the need to preserve church unity. The case is linked to recent developments in the Orthodox Church and to old debates about the role of the archbishop in Albania. The controversy is expected to continue in the coming days. The archbishop of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Janullatos

From Puglia TIRANE — "Albanians may come to Puglia and work seasonally. This is stated by an Italian deputy minister for immigration in the Puglia region. According to him, many sectors of the local economy need seasonal labor, and Albanians can be included in this scheme. He said that the possibility of creating simpler procedures for the entry of seasonal workers is being considered, especially in agriculture and tourism. A possible cooperation protocol is expected to be discussed between local authorities and Albanian representatives.

SHKODER — A rare treasure of Albanian culture is in danger of being damaged. The negative of the first Albanian photograph — the portrait of Hamz Kazazi made in the previous century by Pietro Marubi — is at risk from persistent humidity. Specialists say that its preservation requires special climatic conditions and urgent conservation intervention. This object of extraordinary historical value is part of the photographic heritage collection of the city of Shkoder. If prompt measures are not taken, the damage could become irreversible. Cultural institutions are expected to intervene to arrange the premises where the material is kept.

Crimea declares independence but Ukraine sends troops An armed conflict is feared ON PAGE 2 Dilemmas of the copper and chrome corporations Stock of 60 thousand tons of chrome concentrate ON PAGE 3

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