After a year of investigations, the files of some of the accused are closed. Public light on the cigarette mystery will soon begin as well It is the Lebanese “Cooper man” Nabil Siblini, accused of “smuggling,” and seven customs officers accused of “misuse of office” who will open the proceedings EDMOND LACI TIRANE — The hour of judgment is approaching for eight of those accused in the customs scandal and the cigarette-smuggling case. In the final hours, the voluminous case file, together with the indictments of the defendants, was finally sent to the Tirana Court, thus marking the end of the investigation. Among the protagonists of the upcoming trial — expected to begin at least within September — will also be the “Cooper man,” Nabil Siblini, the 27-year-old Lebanese who has long been detained in the Tirana prison. Along with him — as confirmed to Gazeta Shqiptare — the investigations have also been completed for seven customs officers, against whom the charge of “misuse of office” stands. So one of the longest investigative processes — it began more than a year ago and is still ongoing — and with more than 20 defendants — the one involving the customs and cigarette smuggling scandal, Nabil Siblini, about whom it was then said that he was the number one distributor of “Cooper” cigarettes in Albania — was the first to be arrested on charges of “smuggling.” But 7:30 p.m. on 19 July 1993 — when Siblini ended up in the cells of Tirana Prison — would be only the prologue to a wave of arrests involving merchants and customs officers from all areas of Albania. “Unfortunately, the discovered case is very serious. We are investigating the customs and the Financial Police from within in order to force all those responsible for this scandal. I am of the opinion that corruption cases are hidden behind this story,” said that day to Gazeta Shqiptare the chairman of the Control Commission, Blerim Çela, the first to denounce the scandal. Barely a short time after the arrest of the first customs officer — the one from Kakavija Customs, Marko Shugra — the former head of Albanian customs, Thoma Biciolli, who for a long time had served as Director General, also came to Tirana Prison. These are among the first to appear before justice. The higher authorities of the Financial Police also denounced the scandal with figures; on the prosecutors’ side, fictitious registrations in customs or failure to respect minimum prices. According to reports at the time, this meant losses for the state of up to $300,000 per month. The investigations would expand again a few months later, and within a single day — 25 February ’94 — 11 more people would end up in prison, among them five customs officers from Gjirokastër and Tirana, and even the former Director of Tirana Customs, Xhemal Hani. This time the “blitz” of arrests extended to Kakavija, Gjirokastër, Vrisera, Tirana, and also reached the traders Vasil Naco, Kosta Sotiri and Mihal Praso. Meanwhile, on 13 March ’94, nine more people were arrested and again among them were customs officers, those from the customs post of Qafë Thanë in the Pogradec district. Thus, after more than a year — filled with episodes of arrests, denunciations and investigations — it seems that the mystery surrounding customs will begin to be clarified. In fact, eight of the accused already have in their hands the indictments that the investigators have finally prepared for them. And very soon part of this story will become public in the proceedings expected to begin. The epilogue of the investigations into customs and cigarette smuggling in particular actually came several months ago, when some of the traders, led by the Albanian, had the security measures lifted to be left at home pending trial — and in two months, at the state’s expense, many tons of smuggled goods were accounted for in thousands of dollars. Tirana Customs

GJIROKASTËR — Another tragedy has been added to the hardship of refugees returning in large numbers in recent days from Greece. For many of their families, these have been real days of danger for the lives of their relatives, who this time are also at risk from road accidents while traveling along a road now accused of being one of the most dangerous in the country, namely the one used by refugees: Gjirokastër — Kakavijë. This road, perhaps in recent days one of the country’s most frequented arteries, saw three very serious accidents in a single day, on Monday. The toll of the tragedy: one dead, eight hospitalized. Niko Floku, 38, died in the hospital in Ioannina 17 hours after the serious accident. All the doctors’ efforts to save him were unsuccessful. The violent impact of the car caused irreparable damage to his body. An entire family was injured while traveling on the same road in their car. The Kosta family from Jergucat was involved in an accident near Sofratikë. Two children and their mother suffered serious injuries and are in critical condition in hospital. The last victim was an elderly woman who, on the roadside where she was standing, was hit by a car that then sped away. (Ra. K.)

The number of deportees reaches 32 ATHENS — The “war of statements” between Athens and Tirana continues unabated even after the ambassador’s protest in the presence of the three foreign ministries. In a written interview, the Albanian Ambassador to Greece, Hyqen Çako, expressed himself clearly on behalf of the Greek government, having been summoned from a “consul” in Athens and often attacking the Albanian leadership over the situation created between it and the southern neighbor, as well as the discouraging consequences for the normalization of relations between the two countries in the operations to clear out migrants. “It is not a matter of expulsions but of ordinary repatriations,” immediately replied the spokesperson of the Greek government. “If Tirana truly wants the normalization of relations, it must prove it through deeds.” While in both countries the decision of the Tirana Court regarding the five minority activists, who risk sentences from nine to seven years, is awaited with great interest, at the border points of southern Albania the large human flow of those expelled from Greece continues without interruption. According to official Albanian sources, by Tuesday evening 31,000 Albanian refugees had been returned by Greek police operations. On Tuesday alone, 2,318 of them were counted. Many of those expelled reported mistreatment by Greek police officers and soldiers. Albanian sources have informed that among the deportees there were also many who possessed regular documents. (n. r.)

RRESHEN — It has once again become the center of revenge. This time its victim was a completely innocent 12-year-old child. The child, Aleksander Gjela, was killed instantly by 18 knife wounds after the aggressor struck his still-young brain. The official press reason has been provided by the authorities. According to this source, the killer is a 17-year-old, Kastriot Molla. The age of the victim, but also that of the aggressor, makes this an even graver precedent. The motive, familiar from stories of revenge, involves a troubled incident. The scene of the crime — as in old chronicles — is in a meadow. The meadow of vengeance, in the fields of the village of Malaj. The cause of this absurd crime has not yet been fully clarified. According to the official news agency, which cites villagers who know both families, the reasons are linked to an old quarrel, in which the victim is completely innocent. The villagers say that Molla wanted to take revenge for the suffering of his ostracized family because of the little victim’s brother. It appears that Aleksander’s brother had pressured the killer’s family to leave the village and settle in Rubik. This happened a few months ago, but it seems that Molla’s anger had not subsided over being forced, in his view, to leave the land. And so a few days ago — the killing took place on 23 August, but the announcement was made only two days ago — he went to the village to take revenge. Near the village, in the place known as the hillside Livadhi i Vnerit, he (the killer) happened to encounter his victim by chance. A full 18 knife blows butchered the boy’s body, leaving him dead on the ground. An event that shocked public opinion throughout Mirdita because of the very young age of the protagonists and the unmatched brutality. (p. re.)

ELBASAN — A donkey was the victim of a primitive and macabre ritual carried out a few days ago in a village in Elbasan. The donkey had been buried alive in a pit to serve as a sacrifice to the gods. The unusual event was verified in Kajan during these hot August days. The “magicians” of our time thought that in this way the gods would hear the requests they had about the weather. In fact, they had requests about the weather. They were actually brick makers. For them, rain means a loss of income, and every cloud, however small, that appears on the horizon causes fear, which this time pushed them toward the most absurd sacrifice of the poor animal. (Me. K.)

FIER — A poplar tree that suddenly fell onto a car apparently caused six victims. The large tree fell onto a minibus in which six passengers were traveling on the Fier - Roskovec road. The reason the tree fell was that, due to poor conditions at the roots, the soil was unhealthy for the forest. All those injured are now hospitalized in serious condition at Fier hospital. Full medical intervention has been carried out for all the injured in order to provide them with every possible treatment. (St. Ma.)

VLORE — A group of refugees waiting in the dark to board a clandestine speedboat that would take them to Italy fell prey to unknown robbers. The police have begun investigations to uncover the “midnight thieves.” The victims of this story were a couple from the village of Orman in Vlorë and four people from Kavajë. While waiting for the speedboat, they were suddenly attacked by a group of unknown boys from two cars. The villagers from Orman had their original documents stolen, all their money, as well as expensive watches and foreign currency. At that moment, the four people from Kavajë apparently intervened and the conflict escalated further. Now one of the victims is hospitalized with injuries sustained during the brawl. (St. Ma.)

TIRANE — Once again the invisible authors in the “fashion lottery” — that is how they are somewhat jokingly and without mockery are now almost called — do not know the main character and his words, coming into view with world cinema. This is perhaps the first time in Albanian cinematography that the main character is so heavily filtered, and with effort is “found” in the scene where, in the film, it is extended and the opposite is to find the protagonist. Thus for the film “Plumbi i plastelinës,” which is being shot in the “Artisti” studio, the search for the lead actor has been opened for a road-related role. The Minister of the Interior, for the leading role, wants a talented actor from Minatorë and Petrit Ruka; he will need a male aged 20–35 with average height, perhaps “a girl is being sought, n. t.)

More than 1 ton of the Financial Police of Fier against a private dental clinic. The property — in the stated condition — after the inspection was found to have no documents, so without hesitation the Financial Police intervened by storming this clinic’s premises. A more severe blow from the Financial Police of Fier against a private dental clinic. The property — unspecified, they say — after the inspection was found to have no documents, so without hesitation the Financial Police intervened by storming the premises of this clinic. THE 1000 $ LIBRETAS, PEOPLE FROM THE DIASPORA PREFERRED THE SHËNGJIN BEACH — More than 1,000 people from Albanian areas in the former Yugoslavia and the diaspora spent their summer holidays this season on the Shëngjin beach. According to an agreement with the relevant unions, it had been agreed that the price list would include a package for Albanian holidaymakers. According to the managers of the Holiday House in Shëngjin, their current problem remains highly unproductive, requiring an amount equal to 300,000 dollars. UNPRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL LAND CAN BE GIVEN FOR USE TO AGRONOMISTS — No fewer than 6,000 hectares of agricultural land are considered unproductive and affect farmland owned by private farmers. The specialists of the Directorate of Agriculture, organized in a group, now believe that the only solution to this crisis is to give this unproductive land for use to agronomists, as well as the possibility of granting them credit.

In the background, the castle of Lezhë LEZHË — A heritage SOS comes this time from Lezhë. The walls of the medieval castle, built on a hill dominating the city, are now in danger. The most threatened part seems to be the northern section of the castle, which, due to changes in atmospheric conditions, is now slowly shedding the stones of which it is made. “Some years ago work was done to repair and strengthen the walls,” say the Youth, Culture and Sports Section of the district, “but the tendency toward collapse has now continued.” “As is well known,” Lezhë was built on the ancient walls of the later Lissus. It has been destroyed several times and has again been raised by the city’s inhabitants. The 15th century is the last construction period. Aside from preserving it, another issue has also been the subject of discussion. Many specialists believe that paving the road leading from the city to the castle — 5 kilometers long — would greatly increase its resilience at this point as well, from which a very special panorama can be seen. But paving requires funds, and these are difficult to find. (r. R.)

Islam against the UN On page 2 Controversy after Bossi’s statements in Italy On page 2 Albanian import-export for the first 6 months of the year On page 3

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY? Time to take advantage of free economic notices. Send them by post to these addresses, up to 15 words, to one of our addresses: In Tirana: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370, or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264, State your first and last name and what you are looking for and offering, your name and address. FOR RENT — a house with 1 room and 1 kitchen located in Laprakë near the Police Station. Interested parties should call 28687. FOR SALE — a house in Sarandë, 2 rooms, 1 kitchen and a large annex with sea view, third floor. Address: Lagjja 4, Building 52, Kodër Sarandë, phone 2226. FOR SALE — a two-storey house, 5 habitable rooms and a basement on the first floor, together with 200 square meters of land. Interested parties should come to the address: Islam Muzhka, Kodër — Kamëz. Interested parties should go up Irfan Tomini street on Saturday, opposite the College, area 530–380 square meters. Interested parties should contact 062/23076. FOR SALE — an apartment with 1 room and 1 kitchen, first floor, near Petro Nini Luarasi School; for negotiations contact Rruga Luigj Gurakuqi, no. 6. Phone 42515. FOR SALE — a new two-storey villa built with a modern project and materials. The villa has 5 rooms, 2 bathrooms, balcony, veranda, garage and yard. It is located in the new construction area, near the “Vasil Shanto” block. For discussions: Rruga Luigj Gurakuqi no. 6. Phone 42515. FOR SALE — an apartment with 3 rooms and 1 kitchen, on the fifth floor near the Army Ensemble. The price is reasonable. For details, Rruga Luigj Gurakuqi no. 6. Phone 42515. FOR SALE — a “Benz” truck (over 16 tons, closed thermal body). Address: Myslym Kullolli, Rruga Zenel Baboci, no. 8 in Tirana. FOR RENT — an apartment which is the combination of two apartments with two rooms and a kitchen, suitable for use as an office. Address: Rruga Ferit Xhajko, Building 59, Staircase 1, Apartment 7, Tirana (near Durrësi restaurant), phone 32372. FOR RENT — an apartment with two rooms and a kitchen with annex. Address: Rruga Sami Frashëri, Building 15, Staircase 1, Apartment 25, Tirana. For details you may contact by phone 24084. FOR RENT — an apartment with two rooms and a kitchen, on the third floor. Address: Rruga Kongresi i Manastirit (near Nexhmi Delliu school), Tirana. Interested parties should contact the owners directly beside the National Theatre.

SPARE PARTS FOR ALL CAR BRANDS You will find a wide variety of types Head office: TIRANE: Rruga Myslym Shyri (Opposite the Pioneers' Palace) Branch: DURRES - Rruga Bulevardi Kryesor Lagjja 1 (Near the Flower Shop)