Court: Zhulali, Shamata, Çela, Mulosmani and Rama held in custody indefinitely Agim Tirana: There will be further arrests of those responsible for March The leader of the DP, Berisha, declares war on the government: “Death to the killers and criminals” The Tirana Court yesterday rejected the request by three former ministers, together with former senior military officials of the DP government, to be prosecuted while at liberty in connection with the March unrest. The judicial panel, chaired by Judge Shyqyri Dylgjeri, decided to fully grant the request of Chief Military Prosecutor Aleksandër Goga to impose indefinite detention on the former political and military VIPs. On page 3 TIRANA - Berisha has found counterattack to be the best means of defending himself. After several days of silence and engagement with the constitution, Democrats are pouring into the streets. It took only a spark—the arrest of several former ministers and military officials from the DP government—for the DP leader’s harsh rhetoric to erupt once again in Skënderbej Square, in the presence of Democratic Party activists: “Death to the killers and criminals.” On page 2 (Photo Hektor Pustina) Zhulali and Shamata leaving the Court moments after yesterday’s ruling (Photo: Hektor Pustina)

Five questions about the arrests FATOS BAXHAKU Albania’s bloodiest March has returned to the stage once again. Just when everyone thought the wounds of that ill-fated year, the year that had passed, had begun to scab over, 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 months ago, but also for what they did not do. Since Sunday morning, when news broke of the arrests that caused another uproar in Albanian public opinion, many people have asked themselves: Why now and not earlier, and is this enough to deliver Justice—the one with a capital “J,” not the one with a lowercase “j” that we have become accustomed to until now? In fact, this is a question that contains several others, smaller but no less important. 1. If the judicial process had begun at the time, then society as a whole would have had a reassuring proof. At last, we would have had a sign that the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office are not so closely tied to the parties, but belong to all Albanians. 2. The opposition is strongly emphasizing the fact that a nine-thousand-pact was signed between them and the current government, which Nano and his people have now supposedly violated. Is that really so? Since both sides made it, it is very difficult to tell which of the two took the first step towards breaking it. 3. Albania is still without a Constitution. Now that proceedings have begun, which the opposition calls “political and fabricated,” it seems impossible that the basic document of the Albanian state will have the consensus of the most important opposition forces in Albania. And so another question came to mind: Should these proceedings have begun now? Someone might answer that this is not the business of an independent Justice system. But unfortunately, this answer is still not convincing. 4. Until Saturday, it seemed that Berisha, Pollo, Hajdari and the others no longer had any convincing arguments to support their boycott policy. Now the whole situation has changed unpredictably because of the inconsistency of the opposition leader’s statements. 5. “Crimes against humanity”—this was the original charge that sent Zhulali and Çela to prison. Will the Prosecutor’s Office be able to substantiate a charge that even the international judges in The Hague, despite the support of the world’s judiciary, are still reluctant to bring to trial in the so-called case of Milošević? The case file against those accused yesterday is so enormous that it could indeed support this charge. But if that is not the case, what will happen? This is another question mark, perhaps not the last. And is this enough to establish Justice, with a capital “J,” and not justice with a lowercase “j,” which is what we have been that encompasses several others, smaller ones, but no less important. 1. Expressing an idea that is rather far-reaching, such as the independence of Albanian Justice from politics, and without wishing to prejudge anyone, we are entitled to ask: Is there one standard in Albania for all the guilty? Will the whole pack of officials who set Albania ablaze, who shut the people of this poor country inside enclosures of gunfire such as had never been seen before, who spewed and spewed boundless hatred that can still be 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 petrol on the fire with extraordinary zeal, solely so that one side could hold on to power while the other could take it? If Justice—always with a capital “J”—decides to take up the case of the unpunished and guilty among the signatories of

After 60 hours in detention, no detention order has been issued for them

TIRANA - An immunity duel between Berisha and Ruçi. “The time has come for Berisha and me to stand before Justice and prove the accusations,” Gramoz Ruçi has said he is ready to waive his immunity, asking the former President to do the same, and then meet him in Court. A typical duel of something that has been fermenting for some time, but which at a certain point erupts. On page 4

FOOTBALL / Bonuses for players after every match The KE has finally decided on the national team coach. He too must have a contract. The contract has been agreed in principle, and three payment options have been proposed. The details will be discussed over the next two or three days. At its urgent meeting, the Committee also decided on bonuses for the national team players. At their request, the bonus will be paid after every match, but there will also be adjustments during the season, increasing it or eliminating it altogether, depending on the importance of the match in the overall standings. On page 11

After 60 hours in detention, no detention order has been issued for them 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 detention orders for them. Sources at the Ministry of Public Order said yesterday that a detention order had not been sought, 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 there appears to be no indication from the authorities on this matter either; yesterday they again refused to comment on what would happen to the citizens detained in Tirana on Friday night, going into Saturday.

Police: the largest quantity HAS - The largest quantity of weapons has been seized since the launch of the operation to curb trafficking in the northeastern areas of the country. Has police, together with the rapid-response unit, stopped an Iveco vehicle with Durrës license plates on Saturday night at the entrance to Kruma. A very large quantity of weapons was found inside. The vehicle, registration DR 7009 A, was driven by Azem Halili, born in 1962, born in Fllovë, Peshkopi, and resident in Arapaj, Durrës, and was heading to Has carrying a considerable quantity of armaments. Bastian Berisha and Bejram Hajrredini were travelling in the same vehicle with Halili. The stop took place at around 9 p.m. on Saturday. The goods were seized and taken into the custody of the police. On page 12

TIRANA GAZETTE TIRANA - Residents of the capital will pay for the cleaning of the channels. Soon, a new tax will be added for the residents of the capital. It is the Roads and Sewerage Enterprise which, together with the corresponding directorate at Tirana Municipality, will submit its request to the Municipal Council. The charge will be minimal and will not exceed the amount paid for drinking-water consumption during one month. In any case, the tax will be more of an incentive. On page 5

DURRËS GAZETTE DURRËS - 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. According to the figures, in June of this year approximately 230,000 residents lived in the district of Durrës, while the IMF has calculated how many doctors will serve in the Health Sector on the basis of a population of 170,000. On page 7

SHKODËR GAZETTE SHKODËR - “Here’s why order in the city is poor and [the city’s] main areas are in chaos.” One day after Interior Minister Perikli Teta’s statement that 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 head of police station number one, Paulin Rrjeka, the president of the Shkodër Court, Ramiz Gjeta, and the head of the Road Inspectorate, Surr Ramа. On page 6

(Photo Hektor Pustina)

CCBET Coca-Cola Bottling Enterprise Tirana Sh.P.K. CCBET Coca-Cola Bottling Enterprise Tirana Sh.P.K. Condolences We wish to express our profound sorrow at the sudden loss of Doct. Angelo Mintello. The service he rendered 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. With thanks to the entire Interforce Police Mission.