Ceremony of Muslims in Albania. The Great Bajram is celebrated
Ceremony of Muslims in Albania
“O God, forgive us all our sins”
The Great Bajram is celebrated
TIRANA - “Thousands of Muslim believers celebrated their Bajram holiday yesterday.” This is how the news reports that have now become customary would begin, now that such celebrations are commemorated every year. Nearly two thirds of the population continue to remain faithful to the religion that came from Asia; at least, the official statistics say so. This proportion meant that yesterday a large part of Albanians—and this happened not only within the country’s present political borders, but also beyond them, where religion plays a strong unifying role—rejoiced at the end of a month of fasting.
On page 3
Geologists without money on the holiday: the cashbox has been stolen
Bajram in Berat: A massive procession through the city streets
On page 3
President Berisha and Haziz Sabri Koçi
“This is how drugs are killing me”
INTERVIEW / A 32-year-old speaks, having lived with its effects for 5 years
The young man’s appeal: “Never try it”
INTERVIEW / A 32-year-old speaks, having lived with its effects for 5 years
“This is how drugs are killing me”
The young man’s appeal: “Never try it”
TIRANA - “The first time I took drugs was to ease my anxiety. But now, after five years, I can no longer live without them.” The speaker is a 32-year-old, addicted for five years, who now lives in its agony. He was among the first to experience the taste of the tempting poison and is a chronic patient registered in the psychiatric hospital records as well. Every day, doctors have prescribed that he take dozens of peditina doses.
On page 5
From Greece to Athens in handcuffs
Minister Frashëri in Athens. Cooperation between the two justice systems
The return of Albanian prisoners will happen soon
Minister Frashëri in Athens. Cooperation between the two justice systems
From Greece to Athens in handcuffs
The return of Albanian prisoners will happen soon
Vrioni’s order: The press protests
TIRANA - The Albanian press is protesting the decision of the Minister of Finance and is requesting a meeting with the President of the Republic.
Representatives of 14 press outlets have met to discuss and seek a solution that would not lead to their closure. All together, they supported the view that “implementation of this administrative order by the ‘Demokracia’ printing house would lead to the forced closure of print media outlets—even for this reason, Minister Vrioni should have shown prudence and realism before issuing the order.” Once again, the decision of the head of Albanian Finance has been considered an action that “runs counter to the provisions and legal scope that the fragile Albanian press has used to survive,” the statement issued at the end of the meeting emphasizes. The representatives of the press outlets affected by Vrioni’s decision—their registration as magazines was deemed improper—reached two conclusions. First, “in order to respect the formal aspects of the matter, but also to find a legal solution to the problem, the Ministry of Finance should address the court and not the ‘Demokracia’ printing house. The court has recognized the status of these press outlets on the basis of the law approved by Parliament.” Second, “bearing in mind the further complications that may arise from this clash, a meeting is requested with the President, as guarantor of respect for the law. This concerns a misunderstanding, not the liquidation of the independent press,” the statement concludes.
Tried to rob “Vefa”; detained
VLORË
On page 3
The toppling of the idols: yesterday, the 5th anniversary
The toppling of Hoxha in 1991
In 1991, the toppling of Hoxha
The toppling of the idols: yesterday, the 5th anniversary
February 20, the day of the revolt against, is celebrated
New customs crossing: Sukobina opens its gates
Following approval by Montenegro
Work on constructing the customs building will begin soon. The project was conceived back in 1992
Wood investors: “Albania addio?”
After the ban on exports of semi-finished products
TIRANA - A government decision announced through the official media has caused panic and outrage among the foreign businesspeople who have invested in the wood-processing industry.
The export of semi-finished wooden products (components) is prohibited, and from now on only furniture and charcoal from this industry may leave Albania’s borders for markets around the world.
On page 7
“Common-law convicts, unite”
Yesterday’s meeting: “There are around 720,000 of us across the country”
Association: “Compensation for work in prison”
Yesterday’s meeting: “There are around 720,000 of us across the country”
“Common-law convicts, unite”
Association: “Compensation for work in prison”
BERAT - “Common-law convicts, unite.” This was the call issued at a meeting of the board of the National Association of Common-Law Convicts of Berat, where yesterday it was decided to convene an expanded district-level assembly on February 26. The aim? Political, economic and social integration. “Our labor built more than 30 major projects and generated enormous financial revenues that went to the state and the rest of society. Today we are asking Parliament and the Government for compensation for the hard, unpaid labor in prisons and communist concentration camps,” is the appeal they are making.
But how many such convicts are there throughout Albania? The figure given by the association’s chairman, Halil Kurti, is staggering. “We believe we have around 720,000 members across the country. In Berat, there are about 15,000 members, men and women.” According to these calculations, that would mean at least one in every four Albanians has at some point been in prison or in concentration camps. And not for political reasons. Nevertheless, they insist, and are now continuing the precise registration of members, “stating that they are the largest association in the country and that it has ‘only an economic character.’” “We are against crime and criminals, against psychological and physical violence, against women and sensational, endless demands,” explains chairman Kurti.
Halit Tafa
Angjelin Prejl ocaj on the Italian stage
SPECTACLE
Yesterday, the premiere of “Likerna mishi,” a new version after 8 years. The choreographer of Albanian origin has not escaped the press’s attention.
SPECTACLE
Angjelin Prejl ocaj on the Italian stage
Yesterday, the premiere of “Likerna mishi,” a new version after 8 years. The choreographer of Albanian origin has not escaped the press’s attention.
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Preljocaj
FIER
Telephone line wires stolen
On page 5
FUSHËKRUJË
Carpentry workshops go up in flames
On page 5
Berisha’s message: “February 20, the revolt against Tirani”
On page 3
From the World
Reunification begins in Mostar
From the World
Bosnia
Reunification begins in Mostar
On page 2
