Clients: The bank’s vehicle took the money Zile insists: “We bear full responsibility for the situation. A new government, but with the PD”

Freedom of speech: a means or an end? Andrea Stefani Once again, dark violence has been inflicted on journalism by mysterious people who vanish without leaving a trace. Once again, they see the profession of free speech as a pot of victimhood. The invisible hand of crime has once again proved stronger, nullifying both the state’s curses against crime and its promises to protect journalists. Two unknown people assaulted Genc Cobani, a journalist for “Republika”, for reasons that are still unknown. They entered the editorial offices, tricked the journalist (“Come, we’ll show you some documents”) and, after forcibly taking him deep into Tirana’s Grand Park, attacked him treacherously. “Tell us what happened in Vlora when you were accompanying Sabri Godo,” these self-appointed inquisitors asked, and then beat him severely. Cobani himself says he was dazed; he was struck when the car stopped, an unregistered vehicle—so that they could make their escape. Afterwards came threats and private cars speeding away: “We’ll see you again.” After so many repeated incidents, I ask myself: When will Cobani be taken under protection, as a way of condemning violence? And journalists? When will we see those who ordered this attack on freedom in the dock? Must journalists continue their profession with their heads on the block, hoping that promises to protect them will one day become reality? And, after all, what are these state promises for? Perhaps they can serve the courts as political credentials, but not journalists. Therefore, we think, the question should be framed differently: When will the law for the protection of journalists be enacted? The state first and foremost! Particularly as the economic and political crisis in the country is accompanied by an intensification of dark violence against free journalists, who are virtually unprotected by the state, but also by public opinion. It is deeply troubling that the further we travel along the supposed road to democracy, the more courage the journalist’s profession demands. But journalists of the pluralist press—the judges, journalists and others attached to institutions that enjoy their personal sympathies—are the foundation of democracy: free speech. And when both the state and the people abandon it to its fate, then many judges take it for a tragic illusion, a deception. Then freedom continues to remain an end—it has always been there in a dream. The mistaken and unfortunate politicians close to it have not made freedom real; it is not just a thing, it is a means to achieve [?]

“Until the day it collected at 50 percent, it worked. Then the money was swallowed up without a trace. Where did it go?” On page 9

The chairman of the Vlora Municipal Council: “Meeting our demands is a necessity” On page 4

On page 3 Berisha at a press conference.

KUÇOVË - The pyramid schemes devastated a family. A 50-year-old man from Kuçovë tried to drown himself in the Osum, and only the intervention of passers-by prevented it. Some hours later, passers-by found him unconscious and revived him. The hospital emergency services rushed to his aid and saved him. After narrowly escaping death, he was taken into custody by the police and arrested. Pyramid schemes caused a serious incident in two towns, Berat and Kuçovë, within a week. In this case, the 50-year-old man had left a large sum of money in one of them and was then driven to take the fatal step. Here are the facts, as Zhani Kamberi tells them: “He is 50 years old and lives in the 11 Janari neighborhood in Kuçovë. He has had a tragic experience and is still in hospital.” Why did you decide to kill yourself? “I borrowed several million lekë from Cjallaci. It was his son’s money, which he had earned working abroad, in Greece. When he came home, he asked me about the money and was horrified to learn that it had somehow been lost. He told me that he would leave like this and would not come home. He shouted at me and told me I was to blame.” What did you do next? “I decided to kill myself. I went to where the Luma of Cjallaci and the Devoll meet, and jumped into a stream at 3:00 at night. Yesterday, Sunday. Then I remember nothing; I only know that I came to at 2:00.” Kamberi was found by several passers-by 500 meters from the place where he had entered the water. The river current had carried him to the bank unconscious but, fortunately, alive. They gave him first aid and revived him; his lungs are therefore in poor condition. He is the only one in this country who has fallen victim to the scourge of addiction at home.

VLORA From now on, protests will be held according to a schedule Police reappear in the city. Blue uniforms were at all the institutions yesterday On page 4

VEFA Vehbi Alimuçaj: “The accusations are baseless. Let it be investigated” On page 4

FIER Thousands also come down from the villages People from nearby towns and villages join the protesters On page 2

THE ACCUSATIONS FROM ENGLAND ARE DISMISSED PD grassroots: What should we do about the Government? The National Council, which will meet this week, will decide On page 3

CALL TO THE SQUARE TODAY Forum: Invitation to party roundtable; the PD should come too On 20 February, a rally is requested for the removal of the bust of Enver Hoxha On page 2

SPORTS NEWSPAPER The fate of football will be decided tomorrow On Monday, representatives of the FSHF, the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of the Interior will decide On pages 5-6

Together with Isai, Ruçi and Lame TIRANA - Another trial for former Albanian president Ramiz Alia. The April 2 case in Shkodër, the killings at the border and the armed revolt at the United Military School in Shkodër are now also being brought against Rekuran Isai, Gramoz Ruçi and Qemal Lame, the first two former Ministers of the Interior and the third the former head of the General Investigations Directorate. The case will be heard on 18 February, while Alia and Isai have been under arrest for a year on charges of “Genocide and crimes against humanity.” The Tirana court will now take up the April 2 case in Shkodër, the killings at the border and the shooting at the United Military School. The prosecutor in the case, Shkëlqim Gajni, has already submitted a substantial file to the court, intended to prove the guilt of the accused. Judge Deda will face only former president Alia and former Minister of the Interior Isai. The other two defendants, Ruçi and Lame, will be tried in absentia. The prosecution has asked Interpol to locate them and extradite them to Albania.

Thousands of clients of the woman moneylender left with nothing. And their protest: “We want bread”