From Banka Tregëtare: The transfers were in order The investigation continues. Bank employees testify before prosecutors: Vehbi's so-called apparatus VEFA's government in a battle between law and morality Linda Spahiu VEFA is at the center of this exchange of words, because the thesis of the deputy chief prosecutor, Sokol Koçi, that the former president of Vefa, Vehbi Alimuça, withdrew 16 million dollars through bank transfers to settle a debt to a Turkish firm, is now being confronted by the other side of the coin: the transferred money may not belong to Vefa, but to its clients. Why? The managers of Banka Tregëtare claim that, according to the documents submitted by Vefa representatives, exports to Turkey were carried out on behalf of its clients who had ordered the goods. On the other hand, almost all of the specialists and directors of Vefa, who have been questioned in recent days by prosecutors, have denied the existence of a Vefa apparatus for its clients. According to them, everything was done on the basis of proper banking and fiscal documentation. The Prosecutor's Office is trying to determine whether the firm used this mechanism to move capital abroad or whether it settled genuine client obligations. Vehbi Alimuça in the VEFA helicopter

WE ARE WITHDRAWING IN ITALY[?] TIRANA - Maria Halina, spokesperson for Amnesty International in Tirana, publicly called yesterday for the actors behind the country's violence and economic ruin to be investigated without distinction. She said that loan-sharking activities have affected a large number of families and that criminal structures have benefited from the chaos of recent months. "Murder, kidnappings and threats have become part of citizens' everyday lives," she said. Halina also raised concern that mafia circles have infiltrated the loan-sharking market. (continued on page 3)

Linda Spahiu The prosecution's effort to uncover the full truth about Vefa's activities is running into two serious obstacles these days: the lack of complete documentation and the conflict between legal responsibility and moral responsibility. According to sources close to the investigation, the bank transfers suspected of being illegal capital outflows are, at least formally, backed by documents. This makes it difficult to determine whether we are dealing with fraud against clients or with the fulfillment of their orders. At this point, prosecutors are questioning not only former company executives, but also bank employees and other people who may have knowledge of the procedures followed.

Marathon meeting leads to a solution to the conflict PD ends the hunger strike After the parties' disagreement over RTV TIRANA - Last night's drama of consensus ended with an agreement mediated by foreigners and representatives of the political spectrum, leading to the suspension of the hunger strike by deputies of the Democratic Party. Sources at the round table said the parties agreed on a temporary formula for the leadership of Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, which avoided any further escalation of the parliamentary crisis. (continued on page 5)

GOVERNMENT (continued on page 3)

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GOVERNMENT (continued on page 3)

LEFT THEIR DIRECTOR The blind: "We don't want to be insulted" "You should remove the word 'blind' from the dictionary" TIRANA - Blind people have spoken out against the use of the term "qorr" in everyday language and in the media, describing it as insulting. At an event held yesterday, their representatives called for greater respect and the use of correct terminology. They said that Albanian society should change its approach toward people with disabilities and avoid derogatory labels. (continued on page 5) Shokë Shano: The blind's commotion in the eyes of their institute[?]

Games of chance TIRANA - KENO with 10/90 WINNING TABLE TIRANA SESSION (numbers partially illegible) First draw WINNING TABLE TIRANA SESSION (numbers partially illegible) Second draw Every Wednesday at 19:00

SPORT See page 7

EUROPE CLOSE TO FOOD YOU CAN LEARN A PART OF IT AT THE MOST MODERN RESTAURANT IN TIRANA Address: Former 5 Sanatorium station, near the LAKE FOREST