The prosecution calls for his release. The Appeal Court: “The initial calculations were unlawful” TIRANA - Ramiz Alia leaves his cell in Tirana Prison and regains his freedom. The former Albanian president crossed the threshold of the iron gate of unit 313 the day before yesterday at 14:45, following the decision issued just three hours earlier by the Court of Appeal: “Under the new provisions of the Penal Code, Alia has served his sentence.” On page 3 The day before yesterday at midday, the former President finally left Tirana Prison. Thanks to the new Penal Code, his long sentence came to an end. The former President travels home in a car (photo: H. Pustina) Alia crosses the threshold of freedom (photo: H. Pustina)

INTERVIEW A few words after his release and a phrase that gives rise to the first question: is the former President returning to active politics? Then his account: “I didn’t expect to get out of prison.” On page 3

. MILAN - In response to prosecutor Marko Maria Alma’s request, the case involving ten people, which took place on January 16 last year in an apartment in Segretàs, will go to trial. At that location, the Albanian Tonin Ndoja held four people hostage. Armed with a pistol, Tonin Ndoja demanded that one of the family members, Rafaele Karel[i?], hand over the sum of 168 million. Karel[i?] is also expected to testify.

Prosecutors’ closing arguments set for tomorrow . TIRANA - The “Arsidi” trial is tomorrow. The closing arguments—which had been postponed indefinitely—have finally been scheduled to be read on Monday. The announcement was confirmed to Gazeta Shqiptare by the President of the Tirana Court himself, Qazim Gjonaj. Nevertheless, the “decision” to continue the Arsidi trial was taken chiefly by the High Council of Justice. Perhaps also because, just a few hours earlier, every possibility of changing the judicial panel in the “Arsidi” trial—which until yesterday consisted of Judge Çeliku and two other assistant judges—had been definitively ruled out. On page 3. During the trial (photo: H. Pustina)

Earthquake at the Eurosocialist congress. Meta replaces Majko The PS leader: “The state must condemn the crimes of the dictatorship.” After the statement, here is the grassroots reaction TIRANA - Fatos Nano sends greetings to President Sali Berisha. From prison, the Socialist leader has sent a message of peace and good wishes for an Albania like the one in the Council of Europe. In two pages of a letter specially prepared for the Eurosocialist Congress, Nano did not hesitate to praise not only the Albanian President and the President of the European Assembly, Martinec, but also the government, which “in cooperation with the opposition managed to achi- [text cut off] TIRANA - “Fatos Nano knows what he’s talking about and knows when to speak.” This was the message sent by the PS grassroots immediately after the leader sent his greeting to Berisha. The Eurosocialist delegates accepted and called “normal” their imprisoned leader’s greeting to the Albanian President. Meanwhile, most of them declared themselves opposed to Ramiz Alia—now that he is free—engaging in poli- [text cut off] The Council of Europe. In a two-page President of the European Assembly, Martinez, managed to work together for the national interests of Albania’s integration into Europe.” On page 5.

Vlora: criminal proceedings opened against two dismissed officials . Police involved in clandestine trafficking; 5 chiefs dismissed. VLORA — A major upheaval in the senior ranks of the law-enforcement authorities in the city of Vlora. A press conference held by the city Police Commissioner, Sokol Muçaj, announced dismissals, firings and the opening of criminal proceedings against several of the police force’s senior officers. The reason: involvement in clandestine trafficking and the arrival of two buses carrying clandestine migrants from prison, in connection with the performance of their duties. The list of those fired includes the names of K[?]emal Mustafara[j?], former head of the Public Order Intelligence Service (SHIK), and Ilirian Hasani, former head of Road Traffic. According to Police Commissioner Muçaj, criminal proceedings are to be opened against Mustafaraj and Hasani. The accusation is extremely serious. Mustafaraj will have to prepare to defend himself against the charge of “involvement in the escape of two former police officials who had been detained” some time ago. But the most serious accusation against Mustafaraj is that he favored clandestine trafficking. The report was made by the speedboat operator himself, to whom, according to Muçaj, the excess clandestine migrants were forcibly handed over to be carried on their speedboats. Hasani is accused of involvement in clandestine trafficking. Hasani and four others were present beside a speedboat. The former head of Road Traffic is also accused of falsifying license plates and documents[o?]. As a result, 25 cars have so far been impounded. Among the other officials dismissed are the heads of Border Police, Criminal Investigation and the Personnel Office. Savri Marko [?].

. On page 3.

Sport Sport Sport Sport Sport Sport . An away win is now worth three points. The rules for the new football season were announced the day before yesterday. The bottom two in Category II. Everything from sports around the world. On pages 2 and 5.

The Archive now accuses him Now the Archive accuses him. “Ruçi burned the documents in violation of the law.” TIRANA — The controversy over the “Lists of Terror” has flared up once again. The two inspectors of the State Archives, Vehbi Agolli and Ivan Loli, called the “disappearance of the archive documents of the Ministry of Internal Affairs unlawful” during a special TV program. Just days earlier, former minister Gramoz Ruçi had described it as “a patriotic act.” On page 3.

Fier . Impossible love? He kills his brother-in-law and is sentenced. On page 3.

Fatos Nano (photo: H. Pustina)

On page 7

. Yesterday, because of a serious technical fault, the letter “D” could not be published in “Gazeta Shqiptare” either. Because this fault has still not been fully repaired, today it is not possible to publish our usual 12-page Sunday edition. “Gazeta TV” will begin regularly next Sunday.

Court of Cassation budget . Ministry of Justice confirms cuts. On page 3.

Prostitution, 4 Albanians arrested. On page 2. Migrants who had set off from Durrës stopped. On page 2. Librazhd, suicide in a tunnel. On page 3.