Prosecutors speak: Dervishi, Tirana, Kokoshi... The Mafia Has Its Hands in the State Head of investigations: There are people in state institutions Organized crime is beginning to intimidate; mobile phones, lots of money and complex networks Dervishi: “Remember the 39 kilograms of heroin sent from Turkey, as well as the latest investigations into the ‘Otranto 2’ tragedy” Director of Investigations: “The first elements of a fully organized Albanian Mafia have emerged” TRANE - The Mafia has infiltrated the state. Now no one denies the existence of organized crime. The heads of the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office answer the question in the affirmative, while regretfully noting that, so far, the most sophisticated form of crime has challenged the state. “Without a perfectly organized state mafia, the smuggling of fuel, weapons and non-ferrous metals—which inflicts terrible damage on the Albanian economy—could not take place,” says the Director General of Investigations, Agim Tiran[a?]. Meanwhile, according to Fatos Dervishi, the number two prosecutor, “mafia groups in Italy, Greece and elsewhere have found the best Albanian elements and collaborators.” There is no shortage of evidence of the Mafia’s existence. Hectares planted with “Cannabis Sativas,” the seizure of 39 kilograms of heroin, the dismantling of the criminal organization responsible for “Otranto 2,” and the smuggling of oil, cigarettes, women and non-ferrous metals all bear witness to this. On page 3

THE VATICAN ON ALBANIA Pope John Paul II VATICAN - The controversy over the forcible return of Albanian migrants has reached the quiet seat of the Vatican. John Paul II spoke at some length yesterday about the Albanians, reminding the Italians and also the rest of the international community that “the tragedy of the Albanians belongs not only to them and to Italy, but to all of Europe.” The Holy Father took advantage of his meeting with Albania’s new ambassador to the Vatican, Jul Bushati, on the occasion of the presentation of his credentials and also his life”. From the Vatican, the invitation that the international community has extended to Albanian policymakers was reiterated once again: You must cooperate in Parliament. “The latest crisis to engulf the Republic of Albania, which has also had consequences in Parliament,” the Pope added yesterday before Ambassador Bushati, “must make both the government and the opposition aware that they need to embark on the path of dialogue and cooperation. The Church’s constant recommendation—” to Italians, but also to the Albanians does not concern only them and the Italians, but all of Europe.” The Holy Father expressed this at a major gathering of the Albanian community at the Vatican. Father Bushati—on the occasion of the presentation of his credentials—was there to convey the Catholic Church’s official position on the suffering of the Albanians in recent days. The Pope issued an appeal to political forces in Albania to engage in dialogue so that such tragedies would not happen again. “Albania,” John Paul II also said, “must not feel alone, but its problem cannot be a problem that concerns Italy alone.” The Pope was not particularly harsh with the Italian authorities, though he reminded them that “the most important problems must be resolved immediately, such as that of the extended Albanian government, whose members, driven by poverty, abandoned their country in unsafe vessels. The recent [crisis] that has engulfed the Republic of Albania, and whose consequences have also been felt in Parliament,” the Pope added yesterday before Ambassador Bushati, “has raised awareness among both the government and the opposition that they must embark on the path of dialogue and cooperation.” The Pope’s recommendation called on both sides to abandon once and for all the tendency to view their political opponent as an enemy. “Otherwise,” the Pope added, “such division becomes ever more damaging to the consolidation of a sound democratic dialectic and to the integral development of all the country’s citizens.” The Pope then reminded the Albanian authorities of all the steps he had taken toward “spiritual renewal.” “Throughout these years, I have repeatedly called for the renunciation of hatred and reconciliation with God and with one another, in the name of a future of peace and prosperity.” p.re.

The Socialist Party of Gjirokastër Bashkim Fino in his spare time GJIROKASTER - “Changes in the government soon.” Bashkim Fino broke the big news in the southern city. The Nano cabinet may soon see changes. Responding to some criticism from southern socialists, the Albanian Deputy Prime Minister stated that no one’s seat is permanent and that those who do not know how to work will not remain in office. Fino, who was present at the Gjirokastër Socialist Party conference, was firm in his position. “I am not a spent force,” he retorted to some delegates who had asked for Nano to attend meetings, rather than figures who only make promises but take no action. “When I have run my course, I will be the first to dismiss myself,” he reassured those present. On page 2

GJIROKASTER / Accusations from the Athens press GJIROKASTER - “The Greek consulate in Gjirokastër, efforts involving visa smuggling and corruption in the issuing of visas.” This was the news published a few days ago in the Greek daily “Eleftheros,” in an article by one of its best-known analysts. The Greek reaction in recent days was extremely strong following the outbreak of this scandal in the newspaper, which at the same time described the methods used to organize this visa smuggling. “Eleftheros” emphasized that “the consulate had turned the issuing of visas into a business and, in many cases, all its authority had been exceeded, with visas being issued in exchange for a hefty payment,” and noted that this route of Albania is under the jurisdiction of the Greek Embassy in Tirana.” The same newspaper also continued with the issue of the ethnic Greek minority in southern Albania.

GJIROKASTER - “Anyone who catches a smuggler will receive 40 percent of the value of the goods that are seized.” This is what Fino told his fellow mayors, now in his role as an anti-smuggling campaigner. “In three months, a police officer could get an apartment from the cigarettes he seizes,” Fino quipped. The government has also approved a draft law that shortens the process from 15 days to 48 hours—

Crimes against them are punishable by death TIRANA - The killers of a teacher risk the death penalty or life imprisonment. To put it in legal terms, crimes against teachers fall under crimes against persons with a special status. An incident that occurred some time ago has shown that these people, too, are inviolable in the exercise of their noble profession. In October of last year, a serious incident disrupted the quiet life of the village of Aprip e Gurës, in Pukë. Two 21-year-olds entered the village’s eight-year school, disrupting lessons. The teacher Pjetër Brahimi intervened, pleading with the young men to leave. As he insisted that the two young men leave the school, an argument broke out between them and the teacher, which continued outside the classroom. At that moment, one of the young men stabbed the teacher, causing his death. After the initial investigative proceedings, both young men were arraigned on a charge of murder due to the victim’s special status. This article of the Criminal Code covers crimes committed against members of parliament, police officers, and certain employees of the state administration—people considered inviolable in the performance of their duties. The penalty prescribed in this case is the maximum, ranging from the death penalty to life imprisonment. The incident that took place some time ago is now being heard in the Tirana court. The exceptional nature and importance of the case have led to its hearing being moved to the capital. Recent events and developments in Albanian schools have further underscored the important role of teachers. When the police themselves have acknowledged that high schools, as well as eight-year schools, have become places where drugs are used; when children carry weapons even in classrooms; and when many crimes are committed by adolescents, it seems that teachers should be included among the employees of the state administration. Perhaps their inclusion in the category of persons with special status can be considered a positive sign of their standing. Thus, the existence of a kind of special status reminds everyone once again that these teachers are sacred in the exercise of their noble profession. the capital. Erjon Tase

Gjirokastër

Ali Rexha and his sick daughter

SHKODER — He has crossed the sea twice in small boats. Nothing—not even the fear of death—has been able to stop him in the face of his overwhelming longing to see his child like everyone else. This is the almost unbelievable story of an ordinary man. His name became known, as it does when another tragedy strikes. His name is Ali Rexha, and he is from Shkodra. His young daughter carries a “mountain” of illnesses on her back. She cannot hear, speak, or see. She has difficulty walking. The parents have become the subject of extensive coverage in many countries around the world, because Rexha is one of those forcibly returned from Italy and left behind. Foreign television cameras caught him protesting to everyone about his misfortune. The only cameras missing were those of his own country’s television, which were surely busy with something more important than the return of dozens of unfortunate emigrants. In the REUTERS photo, we see Rexha in a dramatic moment at the Port of Durrës. Perhaps someone will remember not to abandon him amid the hardships that have befallen him...

SHKODER / REPORTAGE On page 4 WATER SUPPLY BLOCKED Durrës without water for three days On page 4 BERAT Special forces arrive after the incident On page 5

Fino against it

Everything from the first day to the last On page 6