Appeal Court “spares” Zylyftar Ramizi’s life: “No death sentence”
TIRANA - The Court of Appeal yesterday overturned the decision of the Tirana court. It spared the lives of three people sentenced to death, while Haxhi Leshi and Manush Myftiu, sentenced to life imprisonment in the first instance, were released. The surprise ruling was handed down yesterday at 14:00. The trial had begun promptly at nine, under the direction of court president Prel Martin. Aranit Çela, Zylyftar Ramizi and Rrapi Mino sat in the dock, while Haxhi Leshi and Manush Myftiu awaited the decision from their beds in the prison hospital. They explained the grounds on which they based their requests for acquittal, which centered on the fact that they had already been convicted once for this offense. The prosecutor sought life imprisonment for Leshi, Myftiu, Ramizi and Çela, and 25 years in prison for Mino. The judges, however, handed down 25 years in prison for Çela and Mino, life imprisonment for Ramizi, and five years’ probation for Leshi and Myftiu, who were free from that moment on.
On page 5
Yesterday, Mino, Çela and Ramizi at the Appeal Court. Above, Chief Judge Martini reads the ruling
Appeal lawyers: the case file was tampered with
Tirana judge accused of altering the “Genocide” case file
On page 5
“Welcome, Van den Broek” Today: meetings with the parties
EU envoy in Albania for two days
“Welcome, Van den Broek”
Today: meetings with the parties
TIRANA—Van den Broek in Tirana. Unusual interest among Albanian political parties in the visit of the senior European commissioner. The opposition wants to “make use” of this visit to once again submit its deep dissatisfaction over the May 26 elections, or to seek guarantees for free elections. One of the issues expected to be raised by opposition leaders is European monitoring of elections in Albania. The political picture emerging from the Democratic Party’s political camp is somewhat different. “The visit is taking place in the context of Albania’s integration into Europe,” Shehu also said.
On page 3
Berat — Cemetery battle: suspect released
BERAT
Cemetery battle: suspect released
On page 5
FIER
“Trafficking money controls Vlora”
MP Zile sounds the alarm: “Tomorrow it will be too late”
Yesterday’s statement in Parliament: “Not police, but free movement of people”
FROM THE WORLD
TIRANA - “Trafficking on both sides of the Adriatic has become a phenomenon in these parts and…”
Tirana and Teuta KO in the return leg too
FOOTBALL
TIRANA — Tirana suffered a complete defeat in the second leg of the UEFA Cup preliminary round as well.
Villages without electricity don't pay
FIER
Villages without electricity don't pay
On page 5
The family: men still rule
TIRANË
The family: men still rule
On page 7
MP Zile sounds the alarm: Tomorrow will be too late
FROM THE WORLD
Alarm in Turkey's prisons: 3 prisoners die
ANKARA - The situation of prisoners in Turkish jails is worsening. The hunger strike they began in May to improve conditions behind bars has caused the first three deaths. The Islamist government is facing its first test.
On page 2
MP Zile sounds the alarm: Tomorrow will be too late
TIRANË - “Traffic on both sides of the Adriatic has become a threatening phenomenon.”
MP for Vlorë Gëzim Zile told the Albanian parliament that this well-known phenomenon—until now the preserve only of the press and statements from the Ministry of the Interior—will be tolerated and may assume unforeseeable proportions in the near future. Yesterday he asked the Meksi government to make Vlorë a priority in its program strategy and to make efforts to declare the city a free-trade zone.
The Democratic Party MP expressed concern that substantial sums generated over the past four years by trafficking in clandestine migrants, weapons, drugs and prostitution have now been recycled into the city's economy, which is thus at risk of being taken over by black money. In his view, the situation can be overcome only by legalizing the free movement of citizens, not through police measures on both shores of the sea. This would also prevent the many deaths of people who have died while trying to reach the “promised land.”
On page 7
Sidorela is now the most beautiful woman in the Balkans
SHOWBIZ
The former Albanian Miss is chosen Queen of Gadi-shullit.
SHOWBIZ
Sidorela is now the most beautiful woman in the Balkans
The former Albanian Miss is chosen Queen of Gadi-shullit.
Sidorela Kola
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Child wins big at Bingo
RARE STORY
Child wins big at Bingo
Little boy is taken home by police officers
LEZHË - He leaves home without permission and returns a millionaire, accompanied by officers from the Lezhë police station. A nine-year-old child from the village of Kolsh went into a Bingo hall—this was his first time there—and managed to win 120,000 lek in a single game. The little boy’s parents, who are poor, immediately wanted to share their good fortune with their neighbours: they handed out modest aid to them as well.
He had only 20 lek in his pocket and set off for Lezhë, as an adventure with some of his peers. He walked the whole distance—his village is three kilometres from Lezhë—and suddenly decided to go into a Bingo hall. Many people, intrigued that he had tried his luck several times in a row, advised the little boy to leave, but he was determined to try his luck. And thanks to the game room’s [?], the lucky little boy became the “owner” of 1,200 dollars. Several officers from the Lezhë police station accompanied the winner home, where he was greeted with a celebration. To the poor family with many children, this seemed like a gift from heaven. And, like all such gifts, it was meant to bring joy to others too: the boy’s father handed out some money to his neighbours, wanting to help them a little. With the rest, they decided to buy some household appliances.
Taxi drivers: a job between fear and money
REPORTAGE
In the capital, cars have been in use for 15 years. Taxi drivers face competition from robbers.
On page 7
TIRANA — Tirana suffered a complete defeat in the second leg of the UEFA Cup preliminary round as well.
From yesterday’s Tirana-Croatia match, 2:6
