Great interest in the sensational trial This morning, Prosecutor Fana will seek the punishment of the bloc leaders Great interest in the sensational trial Ramiz Alia trial: prosecution’s closing argument today This morning, Prosecutor Fana will seek the punishment of the bloc leaders TIRANË — It may be the prosecutor for the accusation, Neshat Fana, who will be the first person in Albania to — legally — seek today the punishment of the former President, Ramiz Alia, and nine of the highest-ranking officials of the former regime apparatus. At 9:00 a.m. "Alia's empire" will have to hear once again the accusations brought against them, except this time converted into prison years as well. Thus, the process that began on 21 May 1994 is one step closer to its end. Yet for Alia, Çarçani, Myftiu and Marko, today’s day of closing arguments is much easier than the first day of the trial. The initial charge — later dismissed by Judge Çela — had foreseen up to 25 years of imprisonment. Now the maximum of all the charges weighing on the ten defendants foresees at most up to ten years in prison. But it should not be forgotten that at least two charges weigh on each of them (as well as the criminal offense of collaboration). (e.l) Ramiz Alia during the trial (Photo A. Babani) Ramiz Alia during the trial (Photo A. Babani)

Operation between Pogradec and Macedonia He had debts of more than 1 billion Operation between Pogradec and Macedonia The swindler of the villagers jailed: he had fled abroad He had debts of more than 1 billion POGRADEC — The pursuit of the president of the company "Bilni" [?] lasted four people[m] one month. Accused by dozens of villagers from Pogradec that Devolli for a staggering amount of drachmas, dollars and marks — taken on interest, but not returned since February of this year — Jorgo Panajoti, 37, is now under arrest at the Pogradec Police Station. Sources from that station confirmed to Gazeta Shqiptare that Panajoti has been held in isolation since 8 June and that the charge of "fraud" now weighs against him. A criminal case has immediately been opened by the Prosecutor's Office. According to the villagers' complaint, Jorgo Panajoti or Bujar Pano — in Pogradec he is known by two names — had fled on 10 May toward Macedonia via the Tushemisht border crossing. It was precisely after the first complaints, which reached the highest state authorities thanks to a successful operation by the law-enforcement forces, that it became possible to capture the person who was in Macedonia. Because of the secrecy of the investigation, Panajoti's full position in relation to the leaders has still not been clarified, nor whether his trip to Macedonia was an escape or simply a business obligation. The villagers of the Devolli area — who form the backbone of the accusation against Panajoti in Albania — now only have to achieve their main wish as well: getting back the money they had previously handed over to the president of the company "Bilni". If investigators later confirm that the villagers were indeed robbed of a large sum — around 1 billion drachmas and substantial amounts of dollars and marks — then Panajoti's fraud can without fear be called the biggest of its kind in Albania. In any case, the accused person is now definitively in the hands of justice and it will be justice that assesses everything. (e.l) View from Pogradec The accusation DEVOLL — Here is the letter by which the deceived villagers denounce: "Our problem is linked to the company 'Bilni' with president Jorgo Panajoti (Bujar Murar[?] Pano). During its activity it has collected from the inhabitants of this district about 1 billion drachmas and a considerable amount of US dollars and German marks at an interest rate of 10-15 percent. From 1 February until today this company has not responded to the contracts concluded with the public. In his dealings with Mr. Jorgo Panajoti, he has answered by postponing the deadline until on 10 May 1994 he leaves in the direction of Macedonia. We inform you that the amount of lekë handed over to this company was collected throughout the villages of the Devolli district, and those who secured these incomes did so mainly through work, sweat, the blood shed in emigration, in Greece and elsewhere".

Municipality: "It was spoiled" TIRANË — A large quantity of salami, 1 ton, has ended up in the ground, buried. The decision was taken by the Veterinary Office of the Municipality of Tirana after an inspection carried out in trading units in the capital. The salami shipment — a total of 6 tons — had arrived in Tirana from a commercial company some time ago. Part of the goods — 5 tons — was sold, while the remaining quantity became unusable, apparently because of the hot weather. The inspection carried out by the municipality specialists shows that the remaining quantity of salami was unsuitable for consumption and, due to lack of usability, the burial measure was ordered. The phenomenon of food products below consumption standards is not new. Nevertheless, this problem becomes even sharper now that temperatures are rising and the possibilities. Ar. Me.

Shkodër, ecological alarm SHKODËR — Fuel smuggling with Montenegro is also damaging Lake Shkodër. Black patches scattered irregularly on the water surface are the first sign of a major ecological danger. A net that is cast can take on catastrophic proportions for the flora and fauna of this lake. At the moment the degree of pollution is still unknown, and the smuggled fuel goods — there are dozens of them that during the night make the crossing from Shkodra to Montenegro — have caused pollution in the lake waters. Environmental Protection specialists have already begun the first examinations to determine the real state of pollution and the measures that must be taken to stop the further spread of this highly harmful phenomenon. Ar. Me.

Bureaucracy GRAMSH — A quantity of weapons and war material worth around 4.5 million lek — produced at the Mechanical Plant of Gramsh — continues to remain stockpiled in warehouses, causing concern among the workers. It is the lack of a license — which would give the producers the right to sell this item — and the unusual year that have prevented them from being placed on the market. The Gramsh plant, specialized in the production of automatic weapons and anti-aircraft guns — like many other sectors of industry — began its activity in 1990. But, like all its sister plants, the war industry too seeks to survive by adapting to the requirements of the market economy. And it can achieve this by producing weapons only, but this time ones that kill animals and not people. With the permission of the Ministry of Defense, the workers and technical-engineering staff of the plant successfully experimented and then began producing hunting rifles that — according to them — are in high demand. It seems that the current shutdown of hunting in Albania — as a result of the significant damage to wildlife caused by the unregulated exercise of this activity — has not reduced demand from passionate buyers for the tools used to carry it out. But while polygonal chambers have shown the brand of the manufacturer and meet standards and — according to production specialists — can compete honorably with those that continue to be imported until now, the Ministry of Public Order has not granted the plant in question a license to produce them. This bureaucratic obstacle has dampened the initial optimism that had been aroused among the plant workers. This new alternative is, for them, the only way to escape unemployment. For four workers, the ministry’s hesitation is made even more incomprehensible by the existence of several private traders licensed to sell hunting articles, while for them it remains a long-desired dream, and yet only a dream... Andrea Stefani

Just heat?/2 TIRANË — Nudism again on one of the streets of Tirana. Immediately on Thursday, passers-by strolling along the banks of the Briri River — around forty-odd [k]riu close by with growth in a marathon — saw a man passing by completely naked. He was near the bridge located in the square [?[].] of [?[].] near [?[].] of [?[].] with hunter meters as far as the area called "Zogu i Zi". And it was an [?[].] of the police forces that put an end to the 'spectacle' that was astonishing and sadly disturbing from this worthy descendant of Adam. A few days earlier the police had been able to find a nude man in the square near the University of Tirana. Among the many passers-by who had gathered because of that unusual act, there was also the heat of the weather. But in the second case — the desire under the almost dense sky of which "the heat is excluded". (A.N.St)

Light on the mystery of the kidnapping? Vlorë, police discovery Light on the mystery of the kidnapping? The Italian hostage is found Vlorë, police discovery VLORË — The Vlorë police found the Italian who had been reported kidnapped, and he was then transferred to Tirana. The man, Domenico Cr[ia]sno, 50, from Ostuni, who according to the report filed with Interpol was hostage to an Albanian gang, is now under police protection. Today, after being questioned by the police, he may be returned immediately to Italy. The news of his disappearance has aroused great interest, both in Italy and in Albania, and the police authorities immediately went into action, managing within a few hours to resolve this case. The news of a possible kidnapping and the statement by the family, which had reported the incident to the Italian police. Cr[i]ano had come to Vlorë to repair a motoska[?] bought from some Albanians with Rubinek[?] and perhaps linked to trafficking in island[?]. It was precisely this gang — according to the complaint — that held him and prevented him from going home. Domenico Cr[ia]sno

CURIOUS REALITY TIRANË — Disputes over property have not spared religious institutions either. News of such cases has not been lacking, but at times initiatives that also stir up Muslim conflicts or, in Tirana, were not developed, the Bektashi Supreme Headquarter has found itself in conflict with a family, as a young one for some time has rented several abandoned buildings such as former stables. The conflict does not end there, as the tenants' level of sh[?]llin. Nor did the propo[?] of the Agency for Restructuring and Privatization of [?[].] agree to the result. In some religious property, there is its number to have been previously by the Government [?[].] 1991 the Greek cross could make displaced families toward the city periphery and shelter them in such places. This is how this group of 25 people acted too. But two years later the stables were included in the privatization process and after a long time privatization was carried out through the Bektashi Supreme Headquarter [?[].] Farewell Kukës[?] TIRANË — The story of the Fierzë floods continues. In the Kamëz area, near Tirana, 23 families still live sheltered in barracks erected with improvised means. Some time ago they were changed to move the land in Ishili living with bek[?]. Their odyssey has continued even after their fields were flooded in the lake dam. The land where they had built them became uninhabitable and was claimed by their owners, from Kamëz, where only miserable and unlegalized conditions still exist. Now they are asking the state to solve the problem they have, and for this they are waiting for someone from the authorities to go and speak with them. p. pre.

In Reç, 80 hectares damaged TIRANË — A natural disaster has once again brought the Commune of Reç in Peshkopi back to the center of the news. Not long after the fires for the commune chairman, heavy and torrential rains struck the territory affected by hail and its villages. Krye-Reç and Bardhaj-Reç were hit by a hailstorm that caused damage, including considerable damage from the hailstones. The damaged area is considerable — over 80 hectares. Now most of the planted fields and gardens have been left as lifeless skeletons of plants. Desperate about the fate of their crops, the peasants have remained mainly with the fear of losing a year of hard work. They have turned to the state authorities for help. In large numbers they will have to make up for part of the great loss suffered. Apparently, this year will also be remembered for such cases, protection from nature. Hail, for which mainly from the area of Zadrima, experts had indeed come to Dibra for the overwhelming natural strike.

The written mathematics exam is completed Tomorrow the theory exam begins ON THE LAST PAGE The Italian Prime Minister meets Kohl Italy-Germany: "deep friendship" ON PAGE 2

PARLIAMENT APPROVES THE LAW "ON THE PRICE OF THE LAND TO BE COMPENSATED" The Parliament has now approved the law "On the price of the land to be compensated." Under this law, the determination of the price of land changes according to the areas to which they belong, their economic and tourist importance, as well as other requirements. Compensation for the land will be made in money, rather. VLORË, COPIES OF RAMIZ ALIA'S BOOK "HOPE AND DISAPPOINTMENTS" BLOCKED Some speeches of the new bloc and people of Vlorë 120 copies of Ramiz Alia's book "Hope and Disappointments." The reason for this blocking, according to the customs officers, is the lack of the customs certificate and the lack of the goods sheet. The blocked items had arrived in the city of Vlorë from a bookstore of Albanian origin living in Switzerland. SARANDË, THE APPEAL CASE OF THE GREEK VJESLLOS[?] VASSILOS[?] The trial will now continue. So far the Appeal Court in Tirana has dismissed the appeal case. In a written submission Jes [?[].] had previously mentioned that he had been caught in the territorial waters of Albania. In the District Criminal Court, he will admit that he committed a criminal offense for illegal crossing of the state border. GJIROKASTËR, 7 ICONS ARRIVE IN THIS BANK E ZAKONI? They were found in a town in the border region with Greece, originating from the village of Llongo in Lower Dropull. The icons belong to works from the first century.