After the request, lawyers threaten to boycott the defense Durrës, the staggering fraud is uncovered after several months TIRANA - The final requests of the Tirana Prosecution against 75 defendants, accused of creating the fraudulent company “Arsidi”, were also completed yesterday. For only three names has life imprisonment been sought. This is because they are charged not only with fraud, but also with other criminal offenses. The people involved in the scheme of the pyramid company “Arsidi” are accused of causing the Albanian state damage of around 1.6 million dollars, but the Prosecution gives no explanation as to why the total amount obtained by this company reaches 7 million dollars. There are 11 defendants in the courtroom. Among the accused serving sentences in Tirana prison are also 16 former police officers. The prosecution statement against the defendants lasted about 7 hours, but because of the delay in the hearing, it started around 2:30 p.m. and ended around 9:30 p.m. Because of its length, one of the women lawyers, Avni Nushi, began to show signs of fainting. Afterwards, the defense lawyers objected during the hearing, warning that they would boycott the trial if the prosecution continued reading the request for punishment. However, they did not carry out this threat to the end. One of the accused in this fraudulent company is also Alb[?] Q[?]iballaj, who managed to evade arrest because of his escape. He is under preventive seizure, while seven other people have not appeared at the recent court hearings. In the prosecution statement, the prosecutor has requested different sentences, ranging from life imprisonment to several years in prison. The process has been followed with great interest by the victims and the defendants’ family members. (continued on page 3)

Fake customs check, two people arrested DURRËS - A major scandal was uncovered yesterday in Durrës. It was recently revealed by a surprise inspection at the branch of Banka Tregtare. The checks carried out show that a substantial amount of foreign currency has been embezzled. This concerns about 800 thousand US dollars, withdrawn by means of a forged cheque. According to sources, the cheque had been presented as a document for customs payments, but the verification showed that it was fake. Immediately after the discovery of this घटना, two people suspected of being involved in this affair were arrested. Investigations are continuing to determine responsibilities and to find out whether there are other persons implicated inside or outside the bank. (ends on page 4) Photo: Qokutaj

After the former President’s statement about returning to politics TIRANA - “Ramiz Alia is politics” is the response of socialist officials, after the statement by the last communist former President, in which he stated that he would return to politics if the PS were endangered by losing power. Commenting on the statement by the former communist President, senior officials of the Socialist Party said that PS is a mature political force and does not need figures from the past. According to them, Alia’s statement is personal and does not constitute a position or an offer of political cooperation. They added that the party has its own structures and energies to face the situation and the elections. (continued on page 5) Former President Alia

Albania in Europe, African[?] form STRASEV[?] - The so-called “corrective proposals” have been submitted to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where members of the committee monitoring developments are examining the text of the resolution on Albania. The Italian MP Ettore Sequi[?], who presented the report, said that the draft aims to encourage the restoration of democratic institutions and constitutional order. The document emphasizes the need for political dialogue and for the organization of free elections, as the only way out of the crisis. The text of the resolution is expected to be approved after further discussion. (continued on page 5)

Police operations in Vlorë, Fier and Gjirokastër VLORË - A court trial against several people accused of drug trafficking resumed yesterday in Vlorë. According to the charges, the defendants were involved in transporting and distributing narcotics in several areas of the south. The police have said that during the latest operations, quantities of narcotic substances were seized and several people were detained. The court is expected to hear witnesses in the coming hearings. (continued on page 5)

A group on Rruga e Kavajës took 500 thousand lek TIRANA - Not only dollars or lek, but recently thieves and robbers have also set their sights on privatization vouchers. This time a case was reported in the capital where a citizen was attacked and a large sum of lek as well as privatization vouchers were taken from him. The incident happened on Rruga e Kavajës. According to the victim’s testimony, the robbers followed him and then attacked him in a sparsely frequented area, taking around 500 thousand lek and other documents. The police are investigating the case, and it is suspected that the perpetrators had been informed beforehand about the victim’s movements. (continued on page 4)

Elbasan, terrified residents make an appeal ELBASAN - The terrified residents make an appeal The city of Elbasan is going through difficult days. Residents say they are alarmed by the state of public order and by the actions of mobs that have burned materials and books. According to the testimonies collected, episodes of violence and threats have been recorded. Residents call on the authorities to intervene to restore calm and protect public institutions. (continued on page 4)

Football Bie and Re[?]i are moved to the clubs’ bench On page 5 Athletics Marini throws the championship javelin of the Balkans On page 5 Tennis Sampres and Grac win Wimbledon On page 6

“Lisid[e] and the ‘Merriti’ now also from Fier”

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