Chief Prosecutor’s statement: “The former minister has no file with us” “In his post as head of Defense, he was a civilian. As such, he cannot be accused of desertion” Controversy erupts after Zhulali’s return. The Right attacks. PS: A courageous act Chief Prosecutor Arben Rakipi TIRANA - Safet Zhulali has not deserted. “The former Minister of Defense did not desert Albania, since he was not a member of the military but a civilian.” It is the Prosecutor General himself, Arben Rakipi, who sheds light on the relationship between the head of the Albanian army for five years and the justice system. “Zhulali has not been reported and no criminal proceedings have been initiated against him,” says Rakipi, clarifying once and for all that there is no file on the former Minister of Defense. The accusations made against the former senior official by senior PD leaders themselves, both in the opposition and among his subordinate generals, cannot legally harm Zhulali. “The statements are only political and do not have legal form; therefore, they cannot be considered reports.” The Prosecutor General’s clarification finally removes the former Minister of Defense from the “atmosphere” of accusation. Despite the serious accusations provoked by his departure in March, Zhulali is still not on the wanted lists. “There is no arrest warrant for him,” says Pashk Tusha, Director of Police. On page 3 Chief Prosecutor Arben Rakipi; Safet Zhulali

SO, THE NEWS? Arbnori, a victim of politics TIRANA - One man, Pjetër Arbnori, a former prisoner, a martyr who has suffered and suffered, continues to draw the accused into one of the halls, apart from… The Central Committee of the Party of Labour. Yesterday, his colleagues, well-known politicians, vented their anger, made ironic remarks about his martyrdom, behaved badly, showed their fists, and hurled insults at one another while trying to “draft” a law related to politics, but not to the profession of journalism itself. “How many minutes should go to the government and how many to the opposition?” This is the question troubling the politicians of a country that should first consider what the complaint is about. If state television were to rely more on professionalism and less on official servility, which continues to pursue it, then neither the self-sacrifice of the martyr Pjetër nor the fists and threatening gritted teeth between politicians—later broadcast by television stations that had turned into a gigantic apple of discord—would have been necessary. Let politicians get on with their work. Perhaps their incurable vice is what keeps them endlessly agitated, even at a time when there is a need for people who are on the verge of death. No one has escaped political cynicism in these events. Let us not forget that beyond all their quarrels, all their posturing and the actors’ irony, there are other, more important matters. For us journalists, the solution is quite simple. When something constitutes news, whether it comes from the government or the opposition, it must certainly be given due attention. Dividing the time into minutes would mean having a television station that continues to broadcast endless telegrams and formal news bulletins. We had one question for the parliamentarians: if, God forbid, a tragic event involved a small party, how many minutes should it get on the news? Fatos Baxhaku

CONTROVERSY OVER THE MEDIA TIRANA - Fists fly again in the Albanian Parliament. Yesterday’s session featured spectacle, debate, insults and a brawl. It was Azem Hajdari who struck MP Maksim Hasani. Others intervened to separate them until Gjinushi suspended the session, penalizing Hajdari by excluding him from the session for two consecutive weeks. It all began eight hours earlier, when the amendment to the status of RTV was brought into the chamber. After a marathon session, the majority voted for the version that regulates airtime according to the votes received under the proportional system, while also leaving room for the Government and other political forces. On page 4

THE BERAT FIGHT Special Forces accuse ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM / The storm hits all commanders Nano dismisses [?] Army officials

THE BERAT FIGHT BERAT - “One of the detainees managed to leave the police station’s detention cell disguised as a police officer” — this was the accusation made by the Special Forces contingent, which arrived from Tirana a few days ago. The person detained a few hours earlier at the Haziolleve villa left the police station wearing a police uniform. Another person was with him, wearing a blue uniform and serving at the police station. Both left in an unknown direction. The police officer who helped detainee E.J. escape has not yet been identified. On page 5

Government signs off on dismissals and new appointments ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM / The storm hits all commanders TIRANA - The Government proposes to the President the replacement of all army leaders. The Council of Ministers decides to dismiss the senior military establishment. The changes include all directors of departments at the Ministry of Defense. The storm also encompasses the commanders of the Naval and Air Forces. Even division commanders have not escaped dismissal. Under constitutional provisions, the new appointments to the army’s senior structures are to be decreed by the President of the Republic. To make the replacements, the Council of Ministers yesterday proposed to Meidani two alternative candidates for each senior post in the Albanian army. Yesterday, the Council of Ministers also decided to dismiss the rector of the University of Kamza, Petrit Rama. To lead the University, which had been disrupted during March, the Government appointed Vjollca Ibro. Yesterday, the appointment of Faudin Arapi as the Government’s representative on the Commission on Pyramid Schemes was finalized. Ministry of Defense

A FEW HOURS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE MYTH Tirana, tributes yesterday at the British Embassy On page 7

He is joined by Remo Girone: “Let’s keep them in Italy” COMMISSIONER KATANI SPEAKS TIRANA – Mikele Plaçido returns to his concern about Albanian refugees. This time, not as an actor, but as one of the figures of great Italian cinema. “Italy is able to employ thousands of Albanians.” For the first time, well-known actors of the Italian stage and screen, such as Plaçido and Girone, have spoken out on this issue. Both are very familiar figures to a broad Albanian audience. The antagonists in the hit film “The Octopus” now offer their views on an issue much discussed in the highest political circles of the two neighbouring states. They join the views of many Italian citizens who want to help Albania within the framework of the emigr-sili. “What is important is the willingness and flexibility our politicians must show in order to help a friend when they are in difficulty, because that is how I see Albania,” Mikele Plaçido said. His statement is a reminder that Plaçido has been one of the stars of Italian cinema who has often addressed Albania’s troubling problems. He has even portrayed Albanian characters, as in the film “L’America,” alongside director Giani Amelio. Staying with cinema, Plaçido’s statements are followed by those of Remo Girone. “The problem of the Albanians is that everything must be resolved within the rules and laws, and this influx of migrants must be regulated.” The charismatic actor Girone is appearing on Albanian television for the first time to discuss this troubling issue. In his view, “positive signals have now arrived from the Italian government, and this promises a more acceptable formula for everyone in the future.” The figures of neighbouring Italy’s cinema believe there is a solution for Albanian refugees: “It must be provided for within the framework of Italian law.” Now that the two friendly countries seem to have found common ground on the problem of migration, they believe that we are moving towards a green light for implementing possible solutions. Mikele Plaçido

A FEW HOURS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE MYTH