A study reignites the longstanding debate
“Judges have handed down excessively lenient sentences against the guilty”
In court proceedings, the prosecutor remains passive and does not protest when the court hands down lenient sentences; the stance of prosecutors in the districts is even more passive
TIRANA The controversy between the prosecution service and the courts has flared up again. A study by the Judicial Directorate at the Prosecutor’s Office has revealed alarming figures which, in essence, point to a weakening of the state’s fight against crime. The Prosecutor’s Office seeks lenient sentences, often even below the legal minimum, and the sentences handed down by judges are even more lenient. A host of figures presented in the study bring the situation to light and identify those responsible. Tirana, one of the centers with the highest incidence of crime in Albania, is also where the judiciary acts against crime least. The prison sentences imposed on defendants are at the national average, but this is not thanks to the stance of either the Prosecutor’s Office or the Court. But the lack of rigor in enforcing the law “has emboldened wrongdoers... and armed gangs declare war on one another and kill innocent people in broad daylight,” the study states.
Ministry of Justice
On page 5
The opposition turns out its pockets: “Now we have no money left”
From the DP: “We’re in trouble too”
The first difficulties after the elections
DP
PS
PSD
PAD
TIRANA—The Albanian opposition is sounding the alarm. “We have no money; our bank accounts have been frozen.” Without any financial assistance from the state since the parliamentary elections of 26 May, the Albanian opposition has expressed fear that its structures may go bankrupt. On 29 July, state funding for two opposition parties, PAD and PSD, was cut off permanently, and their bank account numbers were blocked. Having lost 12 million lekë compared with previous years, the PS says it is concerned about having to reduce its internal spending to the absolute minimum. The financial alarm is also coming from the finances of the Democratic Party.
On page 3
Shamata: “There is no money laundering in Albania”
Tirana, the Interior Minister’s response
TIRANA—Shamata dismisses the money-laundering theory in Albania. “We don’t launder money here.” This is the gist of the response given by the Albanian Interior Minister to BBC radio in an interview of his, mini-
Three ferries caught in the customs “net”
Six dynymë of carpets seized
OPERATIONS AT BORDER CROSSINGS
“Banks, more ...
BASHKIM KOPLIKU SPEAKS
“Banks, more
Female emigrant assaulted in hotel: two detained
KORÇË
On page 5
[Partly outside the frame]
TIRANA—Shamata rejects the money-laundering angle in Albania.
“Money is not laundered here.” This is the context of the response given by the Albanian Minister of the Interior to BBC radio. In his interview, the Albanian minister also touches on the basic framework within which his personnel will operate in order to remain faithful to the document signed two days earlier with his Italian counterpart, Napolitano. Explaining the technical aspects of the agreement, Shamata is optimistic that the Albanian side’s obligations will be implemented rigorously. Organizing and coordinating joint patrols in territorial waters, as well as a serious commitment by both sides, will, according to Shamata, quickly produce a positive result in curbing the phenomenon of Albanian clandestine migrants. Halit Shamata. On page 3
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TIRANA—Another operation by the customs police.
This time, three ferries have been stopped at the port of Durrës. The goods were seized because the cargo did not match the declaration in the documents. Two ferries that had arrived at the port had “rubber mats” written on their manifests, while they were actually carrying a large quantity of tiles measuring more than 6,400 square meters. The value of these goods is confirmed to be 120 thousand dollars. The third ferry was carrying leather jackets, while toys for children had been declared to customs. On page 3
Directorate of Customs
“Banks are better off private”
BASHKIM KOPLIKU SPEAKS
TIRANA—“Not only the poor, but a wealthy private investor can make banks private.”
Bashkim Kopliku explains the reasons why the urgent privatization of Albanian banks has been decided. The decree on bank privatization has also passed through the Finance Committee—which Kopliku chairs—and is ready to be voted on soon in parliament. “The banks must be separated and placed in private hands,” Kopliku insists, according to whom they should be privatized first and restructured afterward. Apparently, the heads of several Albanian banks did not share this view, but the committee ultimately decided that ’97 would find Albania with a privatized banking system. Believing that “we are very late in this regard,” Kopliku gives his views on why it should have been done earlier. Meanwhile, the Government has approved a decision to reduce the banking network. The operation will affect the National Commercial Bank and the Agricultural Commercial Bank, with many of their branches in the districts being closed. On page 7
Handcuffs on the wrists of three customs officers
GJIROKASTËR
On page 5
The soldier’s file: “It wasn’t suicide”
BERAT
On page 5
Simaku back in Albania: Perhaps a concert
SHOWBIZ
On page 4
Parashqevi Simaku
Serbian crisis: Opposition boycotts parliament
FROM THE WORLD
On page 2
Yesterday in Belgrade
Earthquake in Tirana: “Fear, but there has been no damage”
BREAKING NEWS
TIRANA – “The earthquakes were within the danger limits.”
The frightening shaking of the ground suddenly returned at midday—as it always tends to—and shook Tirana, which was getting ready to go to sleep. It was 21:14. The agencies responsible for recording powerful ground tremors were immediately put on alert. “No panic,” came the response moments later from the Tirana Seismological Institute. The earthquake remained within the permitted limits. Speaking on behalf of the Institute last night to Gazeta Shqiptare was its Director, Professor Betim Muço. According to Professor Muço, based on the Institute’s preliminary data, the earthquake measured 4.5 on the Richter scale, and its epicenter was southwest of Tirana. The earthquake was felt at level 5 in Tirana’s western neighborhoods and less strongly elsewhere. There is no damage, though there was some panic; the great fright could have caused a catastrophe. “Tirana, which is vast ... possible,” was the response. The professor also briefly discussed the major locations that have caused concern among citizens about these. “We have many concerns about ... effective on Earth,” he says, “in connection with the earthquake ...”. f.a.bas.
GJIROKASTËR
Italian League: The foreign players are “out”
SPORT
TIRANA—The elimination of Franco ’96, involving all foreign players who wish to ... play in the Italian championship. All the teams ... the dominance of the bosses and the school, and Shkruan will not be able to play as a result of a ... RFïret Vila of Brescia in Com ... After a phone call ... in the last few hours, he ... “The elimination of foreigners ...” On page 6
Olivera and Batistuta
