PD leader Berisha declares war on the government: “Death to murderers and criminals” Court: Zhulali, Shamata, Çela, Mulosmani and Rama in jail indefinitely. Agim Tirana: There will be further arrests of those responsible for March. Court: Zhulali, Shamata, Çela, Mulosmani and Rama in jail indefinitely Agim Tirana: There will be further arrests of those responsible for March The Tirana Court yesterday afternoon rejected the request by three former ministers, together with three senior former military officers of the PD government, to remain at liberty while being prosecuted in connection with the March unrest. The panel of judges, chaired by Judge Shyqyri Dylgjeri, decided to fully grant the request of chief military prosecutor Aleksandër Goga to impose indefinite pretrial detention on the former VIPs of politics and the military. On page 3 TIRANA - Berisha finds the counterattack to be the best means of defending himself. Democrats pour into the streets after several days of silence and engagement with the Constitution. It took only a spark—the arrest of several former ministers and military officers from the PD government—for the PD leader’s harsh outburst to erupt once again in Skënderbej Square, in the presence of Democratic militants. “Death to murderers and criminals.” On page 2

Five questions about the arrests FATOS BAXHAKU Albania’s bloodiest March has returned to the stage once again. Just when everyone thought that the wounds of the ill-fated year, that of February, had begun to scab over, six well-known names have ended up in prison. Zhulali, Çela, Mulosmani, Lushaj and two other former senior officials from Berisha’s time must now answer before Justice for what they did a year and some time ago, but also for what they did not do. As they woke up in the morning, when news of the arrests that caused another uproar in Albanian public opinion became known, many people asked themselves: Why now and not earlier, and is this enough for Justice to be done—the one with a capital “J,” not the one with a lowercase “j” that we have been used to until now? In fact, this is a question that encompasses several others, smaller ones, but no less important. 1. Assuming that today, then the whole of society would have an easy-to-obtain piece of evidence at its disposal. Thus, at last, we would have a sign that the Court and the Prosecution are not so closely tied to the parties, but belong to all Albanians. 2. The opposition is strongly emphasizing the fact that a secret pact was signed between them and the current government, which Nano and his people have now apparently violated. Is that really so? Given how loudly both sides have shouted, it is very difficult to understand which of the two took the first step in breaking it. 3. Albania is still without a Constitution. Now that proceedings have begun, which the opposition calls “political” and “fabricated,” it seems impossible for the basic document of the Albanian state to have the consensus of the most important opposition force in Albania. That is why another question comes to mind. Should these proceedings have taken place now? Someone might answer that this is not a justice that... And is this enough for Justice to be established—Justice with a capital “J,” not the justice with a lowercase “j” that we have become accustomed to so far? In fact, this is a question that contains within it several others, smaller but no less important. 1. Given the ever-distant ideal of the independence of Albanian Justice from politics, and without wishing to prejudge anyone, we have the right to ask: Is there one standard in Albania for all the guilty? Will the whole pack of bloodthirsty people who bloodied Albania, who shut the people of this country away in two prisons amid rings of gunfire never before seen, who sowed and sowed boundless hatred that is still felt to this day, appear in handcuffs before the judges—regardless of political affiliation? Why should the most recent accused belong to only one side, when all Albanians know that both sides poured gasoline on the fire with extraordinary zeal, solely so that one side could keep power while the other took it? If Justice—with a capital J—decides to leave unpunished the guilty from the victors’ side, calling the cases “politically Albanian state to have the support of the most important opposition force in Albania. This brings another question to mind. Were these trials necessary now? Someone might answer that this is not the business of an independent Justice system. But, unfortunately, that answer is still not convincing. 4. Until Sunday, it seemed that Berisha, Pollo, Hajdari and the others no longer had any convincing arguments with which to support their boycott policy. Now the whole situation changes, depending on the credibility of the opposition leaders’ statements. 5. “Crimes against humanity” was the initial charge that sent Zhuljen Çela to prison. Will the Prosecutor’s Office manage to substantiate a charge that even the international judges in The Hague, despite the support of judges around the world, are still seeking to bring against the bloodthirsty Milosheviç? Perhaps the case file on yesterday’s accused is so enormous that it really can support this charge. But if it is not, then what will happen? This was another question mark, perhaps not the last.

The Tirana Court yesterday afternoon rejected the request by three former ministers, together with three senior former military officers of the PD government, to remain at liberty while being prosecuted in connection with the March unrest.

Zhulali and Shamata leaving the Court moments after yesterday’s ruling (Photo Hektor Pustina) Zhulali and Shamata leaving the Court moments after yesterday’s ruling (Photo Hektor Pustina)

After 60 hours in detention, no arrest measure has been imposed on them

TIRANA - An immunity duel between Berisha and Ruçi. “The time has come for Berisha and me to appear before Justice to prove the accusations.” Gramoz Ruçi has said he is willing to give up his immunity, asking the former President to do the same, so that they can then meet in court. A typical duel from a line that has been fermenting for some time, but which erupts at a certain moment. On page 4

Police: The largest quantity TIRANA - More than 60 hours after the detention of 10 foreign nationals suspected of links to international terrorism, there is still no sign that the court will issue an arrest order for them. Sources from the Ministry of Public Order said yesterday that there was no question of deciding on an arrest order, since they would soon be extradited. The same procedure was followed after the Egyptians were detained in July, the sources added, identifying yesterday or today as the time of extradition. But no signal appears to have come even in this context from the authorities, who also refused yesterday to comment on what would happen to the citizens detained on Friday night, going into Saturday, in Tirana. On page 12

FOOTBALL / Bonuses for players after every match The Executive Committee has finally decided on the national team coach. He, too, must have a contract. The principle has been agreed upon, and three alternatives for his salary have been proposed. The details will be discussed over the next two or three days. Also, at its emergency meeting, the Committee decided on bonuses for the national team players. In accordance with their request, there will be a bonus after every match, but within the competition there will also be adjustments, increasing it or eliminating it altogether, depending on the match’s position in the overall standings. On page 11

CIANA’S GAZETTE TIRANA - Residents of the capital will pay for the cleaning of the canals. A new tax will soon be added to the expenses of the capital’s residents. The Roads and Sewerage Enterprise, together with all the departments of the Tirana Municipality, will submit their request to the Municipal Council. The charge will be minimal and will not exceed the amount paid for one month’s consumption of drinking water. Initially, the tax will be more of an incentive. On page 5

DURRES GAZETTE DURRES - More doctors and nurses are being laid off than necessary. The International Monetary Fund appears to have miscalculated in the district of Durrës regarding the number of Health Sector employees being laid off as part of the administrative reform. As a result, in June of this year the district of Durrës has approximately 230,000 residents, while the IMF has calculated how many people will serve in the Health Sector on the basis of a population of 170,000. On page 7

SHKODER GAZETTE SHKODER - “Here’s why public order in the city is in chaos.” One day after Public Order Minister Perikli Teta declared that public order would definitely be restored in Shkodër, the Municipal Council convened urgently. At its extraordinary meeting on Friday evening, the state of public order was discussed in detail in the presence of the chief of Police Station No. 1, Paulin Rajta, the president of the Shkodër Court, Ramiz Gjethja, and the head of the traffic inspectorate, Surri Rama. On page 6

Coca-Cola Bottling Enterprise Tirana Sh.P.K. Condolence We wish to express our profound sorrow at the untimely loss of Dott. Angelo Militello. The service he performed in the interests of Albania will remain in the hearts of all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him as a person and a professional. We thank the entire Interforce Police Mission.

(Photo: Hektor Pustina)