JUSTICE The investigations into the former President and nine senior regime officials have been completed. Çarçani, Myftiu, Isai, Stefani and Marko too. A history of abuses and killings Dictatorship, the final act Alia’s empire ends up in court EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — The cycle of investigations into the “block leaders” and the highest state and party officials who governed during the communist dictatorship in Albania has now definitively come to a close. This time, 10 people are facing charges before the Albanian justice system, including former President Ramiz Alia. Now that the investigations have ended, however, the other “block leaders” are also expected to stand trial alongside Alia within the month of May: Adil Çarçani, Manush Myftiu, Rita Marko, Simon Stefani, Hekuran Isai, as well as senior officials Aranit Çela, Rrapi Mino, Zylfytar Ramizi and Veiz Haderi. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has selected seven main charges on which to prosecute the final ten defendants from the entire old caste of former rulers. The charges and corresponding case files for all the defendants have now been sent to the Tirana Court, which will also set the date for the start of the trial within the time limits prescribed by law. Thus, after conjecture, accusations in the press and many contradictory statements, Ramiz Alia, former Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the PPSH, is finally facing legal charges as well. In the same category of accused, the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office had also placed Adil Çarçani, former Chairman of the Council of Ministers; Manush Myftiu, former Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers; and Rita Marko, former Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly. All four defendants must answer before the judges to the common charges of “misappropriation of state property in complicity, to a total value of 2,883,502 lekë,” as well as “abuse of office in complicity, resulting in the unlawful violation of citizens’ fundamental freedoms and rights, with economic damage amounting to 484,778 lekë.” But it is not only the four leading communist figures—the most important after Enver Hoxha—who have ended up in court; so too have the two former Ministers of Internal Affairs, Simon Stefani and Hekuran Isai. This time, the charges against the two former deputies, Deputy Chairmen of the Council of Ministers and members of the Political Bureau—Stefani and Isai—concern even more serious criminal offences. “Violation of citizens’ equality through the creation of privileges” has been added to the other charge of abuse of office, specifically rights, with damage to citizens amounting to 484,778 lekë.” Sarandë District. Although they have been charged with the same crime—“abuse of office in complicity”—the Prosecutor’s Office has distinguished between them according to the consequences of their actions: Zylfytar Ramizi for “the unlawful violation of citizens’ fundamental freedoms and rights, to the detriment of people’s lives,” while Veiz Haderi is charged with “humiliating acts against citizens apprehended or killed at the border.” According to the Prosecutor’s Office, which prepared the indictment—now submitted to the Court—Alia and the other nine defendants acted “intentionally, in complete contradiction to constitutional legal norms, laws and other subordinate legislation that were in force at the time.” The Prosecutor’s Office’s final document cites the execution of 22 innocent people in 1952; the internment and deportation of people in violation of the Constitution then in force; killings at the border during 1990; 1990; the forcible suppression of religious belief; and the numerous arrests carried out by the former State Security service. Former President Alia as he enters the Court

Two more incidents reported A military vessel enters the waters off Sarandë. Near Kakavijë, the Greeks monitor movements in Albanian territory Two more incidents reported Tirana: “New violation of borders by Greece” A military vessel enters the waters off Sarandë. Near Kakavijë, the Greeks monitor movements in Albanian territory TIRANA — Tensions continue along the Albanian-Greek border. Sources at the Albanian Ministry of Defence said yesterday that three border incidents had been caused—according to these sources—by Greek armed forces. Between Thursday and Friday, border provocations were recorded; this time naval forces were also involved in a series of incidents. The Albanian Ministry of Defence reacted very sharply, considering these events capable of leading to dangerous consequences. A statement from the Ministry of Defence spokesperson explains how these border clashes unfolded. The most serious incident appears to have occurred in the waters of the Ionian Sea. In the Bay of Borsh, a few kilometres north of Sarandë, Albanian naval border guards intercepted a Greek fishing boat fishing without authorization from the competent Albanian authorities. The Greek fishing boat “Aios Vasilios” was escorted by an Albanian patrol boat to the nearest port, in Sarandë. Exactly one hour later, in waters near Sarandë, a patrol vessel of the Greek navy attempted to approach the scene. As soon as it entered Albanian waters, it was ordered to leave immediately. A dispute then began between the two vessels—the Greeks refused to acknowledge that they had entered Albanian waters—until the Greek warship left about an hour later. The Albanian Ministry of Defence’s statement reacted sharply to this incident. “The entry and presence of the Greek vessel is another provocative act that could have extremely serious consequences,” it said. Just a few kilometres from the site of last Sunday’s terrorist attack, the Albanian side reports another incident. According to the same source, around 150 Greek soldiers positioned on the terrace of the Greek border post in the Kakavijë area conducted surveillance with cameras directed towards Albanian territory. “Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania calls on the relevant Greek army authorities to prevent and put an end to such military actions, which incite and heighten tension on the state border of the Republic of Albania and further aggravate state relations, potentially leading to dangerous consequences,” the statement concludes. On Friday, the Albanian response also came to the Greek provocation of proposing a joint committee of experts to investigate the events of 11 April. A statement by the Albanian government rejects the Greek proposal. “The incident should be assessed by an impartial committee established by the European Union and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe,” the Albanian government statement said. p.re. The ferry to Greece in the port of Sarandë

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Shkodër, investigations into the 1991 massacre still ongoing Former police officer wanted by authorities arrested SHKODËR — The case of the tragedy of 2 April 1991 in Shkodër, in which the four martyrs of democracy were killed, has once again come to the fore. The Public Order Police Station has managed to detain Nikë Pal Gjoka, one of the police officers present in the operation carried out that day by the Public Order forces against the crowd demonstrating in front of the former Labour Party Committee building. The charge against Gjoka is involvement in the events of 2 April. Another witness to the Shkodër massacre has thus emerged, perhaps bringing new facts that could fully uncover the truth about what happened. Gjoka—26 years old, from Laç i Vaut të Dejës—had been among the police forces deployed to suppress the people’s revolt on 2 April. Later, his weapon—a TT-type pistol, for which he was responsible—went missing. Immediately afterwards, he left without giving prior notice and went to an unknown destination. Because of this, the public order forces in the city of Shkodër and the Prosecutor’s Office immediately issued a wanted notice for him. It was the latest trial concerning the events of 2 April, held in December 1992, that revealed that four police officers who had taken part in the intervention by the Public Order forces had left Albania, taking their personal weapons with them. Gjoka’s arrest now may also shed light on this mystery. For the time being, however, no connection has been established between Gjoka and the other officers who left. It is also not known where he stayed throughout the period since his mysterious disappearance. p.re.

First assessment of the bad weather

The first assessments of the bad weather LEZHË — The effects of the torrential rains that fell—almost without interruption—in recent days in the district of Lezhë have been clearly felt. The main damage was caused by the flooding of a considerable area of land planted with wheat. According to the provisional assessment, verified with the arrival of clear weather, 800 hectares in this district have been flooded. This is the third flood to occur in the district since the beginning of the year. The flooding has also caused difficulties in supplying electricity to residents of the villages. In order to bring the two pumping stations that drain the water fully into operation, residents have been forced to go without electricity from time to time. Otherwise, the existing electricity network would not have been able to handle the heavy load of supplying the population and operating the pumping stations. Despite the initial efforts, a large part of the flooded agricultural land remains underwater. The main difficulties continue to be blocked irrigation channels and problems with the electricity network, which affect the normal operation of the pumping stations. The torrential rains of recent days have also caused damage elsewhere, mainly in the western and northern areas.

INSIDE Serbs strike a French aircraft Bosnia, tensions with the UN grow sharper Serbs strike a French aircraft. Bosnia, tensions with the UN grow sharper

IN SARANDË, 6 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR THE AUTHOR OF THE OLIVE-GROVE ARSON — Six years’ imprisonment was the sentence imposed by the Sarandë District Court on Kristofor Munglli. The charge on which Munglli—34 years old—was tried was burning part of the olive plantations in Vlloçdo in this district. As emerged during the trial, the damage caused by the fire amounted to 3 million lekë. SEMINAR ON THE “NOTARY LAW” CONCLUDES IN TIRANA — The seminar on the Notary Law has concluded in Tirana. The seminar, organized by the Ministry of Justice in cooperation with several specialized foreign institutions, held its proceedings over four consecutive days. It focused mainly on the new draft law for and. It focused mainly on the conditions of the economy and its application under the conditions of a market economy. SUCCESSFUL CONCERT IN KORÇË BY PIANIST KOSTAQ VRAME — Korçë: recital concert by Korçë pianist Kostaq Vrame is a success. During this performance, organized in a hall at the city’s House of Culture, Vrame performed on his piano selected works by classical composers such as Chopin, Liszt, Debys and others. This concert will be followed by other performances in various cities of Albania. EUROPEAN COMMUNITY BONDS SET ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSMEN, ALBANIANS TO BENEFIT — The European Community has allocated 4.5 thousand lekë under the Phare program framework—for small and medium-sized businesses. This amount, provided through the SME foundation, will serve to encourage the free initiative of Albanian businesspeople. The criteria and economic guarantees for granting various loans have also been established for the implementation of this project.

Trade From ITJ: “We’re leaving, but only briefly” TIRANA — “The closure of the Italian Trade Office at ITJ (Foreign Trade Institute) will not be definitive, and we will do everything possible to make it last as little as possible.” Giorgio Ruta, head of the Foreign Trade Institute, which will suspend its activities in Tirana within a few days, tells the Albanian Gazette that the decision to “temporarily close” its consultancy services for Italian entrepreneurs also stems from the need to assess “the transformation of the current ITJ office—which is a precarious body with a provisional structure—into a permanent office.” But to do this, he explains, “time is needed for study and implementation.”

ON PAGE 2 The monthly funding amount ranges from 700 to 150 lekë Here is how much heating is subsidized ON PAGE 3