Experts to the Ministry: “Only a reduction”. Lawyer: forewarning of a complaint NEW CRIMINAL CODE Convicts come out of their cells: Lirion and also Rita Marko and Qirjako Mihali Alia’s release from prison: controversy erupts Experts to the Ministry: “Only a reduction”. Lawyer: “forewarning of a complaint” [?] TIRANA - Once again, comments at a very high temperature over Ramiz Alia’s release. He declared himself “very pleased” on Thursday evening, as soon as he came out of the pre-trial detention prison. “Quite calm at the thought that I am leaving the cell after 7 months in prison,” the former president said. “I will touch a photograph of my wife, whom I miss very much.” And with a sad laugh he adds: “I will cook.” The denial by the president of the Court of Cassation, Kastriot Hoxha, and by the Ministry of Justice, regarding the weight of foreign experts in Ramiz Alia’s second forensic medical examination, has provoked a strong debate in Albanian legal circles and beyond. The release of the former president continues to stir reactions even in the highest political and government circles. This is also because the stance of the domestic forensic doctors, reinforced by an Italian expert, was that Albania does not have the necessary conditions and therapies for Alia. According to the jurist Ylli Manjani, this stance had no influence whatsoever on yesterday’s decision. Meanwhile, the legal director at the Ministry of Justice, Ilir Panda, in an interview given to “Gazeta Shqiptare”, claimed the opposite, namely that in Alia’s case there was a sentence reduction. “So his sentence was considered convertible into house arrest,” he says. Lawyer Maks Haxhia said yesterday that Alia’s release is entirely normal from a legal point of view. Yesterday this was also acknowledged by the president of the Court of Cassation, Kastriot Hoxha, who declared that no special decision had been taken, but rather the provisions of the New Criminal Code had been applied. TEXT ON PAGE 6

TIRANA - The sexual harassment of employees in the workplace is being included in the draft new labor code. This refers to “sexual harassment”, which according to a Western concept is prohibited and punished with administrative sanctions. Much broader than the definition given to this phenomenon by the draft code, “sexual harassment” implies a series of actions on the part of a superior that violate the dignity of the employee. These harassment acts cover a range of behaviors that start with staring at the secretary and culminate in proposals and moving on to concrete actions. According to specialists, this refers to “any behavior of a sexual nature that affects the employee’s dignity.” “Don’t come closer or I’ll kiss you” or “dress a little differently” can be included in the “vocabulary” of sexual harassment. For “Gazeta Shqiptare”, labor office experts explain that including it in the code will realize a right that Albanian workers have lacked. On page 3

Police sweep, six people detained TIRANA - A fake “office” has been uncovered that issued passports with “very secure” visas in exchange for payments of up to 3,000 dollars. The operation carried out by the Tirana police has led to the arrest of six people, among them a woman. It is learned that the “office” was set up on Myslym Shyri Street, in the center of the capital. Its leader is suspected of providing Albanian passports, Greek and Italian visas, as well as certificates and other false documents. According to the police, deceived clients paid large sums for documents that often turned out not to be valid. During the search, stamps, forms and various materials were seized. Investigations continue to uncover other possible links in the network. On page 3

Today GAZETA Treg On page 7

Ramiz Alia Rita Marko Ramiz Alia; Rita Marko

They were celebrating with friends in Divjakë ELBASAN - They wanted to celebrate the end of their final year of high school with an “adventure”. But everything turned into tragedy: two high school seniors lost their lives yesterday on the coast of Divjakë, while their friends watched helplessly. The victims were students from one of the gymnasiums of Elbasan, who had gone on an excursion. According to local sources, the youngsters entered the sea despite the waves and the lack of rescue equipment. Attempts to help them proved unsuccessful. On page 5

Parliament TIRANA - The Ministry of Justice yesterday asked for additional funds for its budget in the Economy Commission. According to its representatives, the funds are necessary for the normal functioning of the judicial system and for improving conditions in prisons. The request was discussed at length and is expected to be considered in plenary session. On page 5 Nelson waves after the victory

“Asidi” [?] The warning Hoti: “Këtoh” the rain [?] Aslan Janati TIRANA - In an article about a problem of national dimensions, published in “Gazeta Shqiptare”, the meteorology specialist provides data on rainfall and possible flooding. On page 3

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Vlora Police block “moshënika”: distributes aid [?] On page 3 Balkans Tension eases between Greece and Turkey On page 2 Bosnia The UN proposes a new plan On page 2

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