New anti-pyramid law: 20 years in prison for fraudsters Protest in front of the Municipality Shkodër, 450,000 USD seized Protests in front of the Municipality Shkodër, 450,000 USD seized Prosecutors have demanded declarations of how they acquired their wealth. Together with the president of the foundation, the police also detained 118 of their members Hundreds of people gathered yesterday in front of the Municipality during the operation in the offices of the companies and cashiers Besnik together with the president of the foundation, the police also detained 118 of their members Five articles of the Penal Code against interest-taking, approved by the government. It was thought to be a second step to urgently confront the crisis created by these kinds of activities in the collection of citizens’ savings; regulating this matter by law has become an urgent task. “My work since July 1996, when I established that the offices which until January 1997 were fraudulent companies, became such that I pushed the country’s government by every means to take decisions in this direction,” declared yesterday the Prosecutor General, Arben Rakipi. He further said that the General Prosecution, faced with a problem with serious consequences that was rapidly emerging, before this phenomenon carried out an experiment through the prosecution offices nationwide. [PHOTO H. PRUSHA] The end of loan-sharking My work since July 1996, when I established that the offices which until January 1997 were fraudulent companies, became such that I pushed the country’s government by every means to take decisions in this direction. He thought this would be a necessary recommendation to the government to act quickly against these phenomena and a fast way to put an end to this activity, which has become a danger to the country’s economy and to public order and peace. [PHOTO H. PRUSHA] The end of loan-sharking [PHOTO H. PRUSHA]

On page 5

Tirana On page 5

Gjirokastër, “The [?]da above us is political” On page 3 Petro Kosta | Artur Bala

Revelation in court, the case file has disappeared On page 7 Tirana Court

The unknown attackers are still at large TIRANË - [Text partially illegible due to page turn.] Edl Rama after the disguise [?]

Hundreds of people gathered yesterday in front of the Municipality during the operation in the offices of the companies and cashiers On page 7 Besnik together with the president of the foundation, the police also detained 118 of their members On page 7 Five articles against those approved by the government. It was thought to be a second step to act urgently starting today On page 3 The resignation of Finance Minister Bode and Prime Minister Meksi before MPs On page 3

The Media Center of the SOROS Foundation, organizes every week in the City of Students certain performances by organizations [afternoon][?]. The course will be in Foreign Languages, 1-English, 2-French, and [it][?] are organized in the afternoon. Interested parties can find out more at the Media Center SOROS Station until 31.01.1997. Address: “Xhorxhi Martini”, No. 51, Tirana, tel. 8 fax 27995,

Pocket-sized, it unmistakably guarantees, [i][?] sensitivity helps with breathing PHARMA COMMERCE MATIMPEX Mentoklar pocket lets you move along a distribution[?]. The decongestant blend with menthol and camphor. Clears the nose and eases breathing. Tablets dissolve in the pocket, somewhat for inhalation. Scandalous[?] and valare dogs and menthol. Quality of Tirana Produced by: lek [lubjana][?] rr. "Ismail Qemali", 12/1, Tirana, Tel: 042 638 46