“Adventure” at midnight: a ghost ship tried to unload Vlorë, 35 people arrested Police crack down on cigarette smuggling Major operation by the coastal city’s police station; three trucks stopped VLORË - Smuggling fails on the shores of Vlorë. A ghost ship hurriedly sailed out into deeper waters after spotting police movements on land. Vlorë police station forces detained 35 people and three empty trucks, which are now being checked in the holding cells. Yesterday at around 1:40 a.m., at a place called Tri Portat, a ship sent signals from the sea toward the shore. Someone alerted the local police to everything that was happening, and the blue-uniformed officers were put on alert. The rapid-response teams surrounded the area and, after several tense minutes amid fears of an exchange of gunfire, 35 people were detained and three trucks impounded. Initial investigations showed that the ship was carrying smuggled cigarettes, whose destination was Tirana. Sources at the Ministry of the Interior said yesterday that “some of the people caught in the forest were the ones who were to unload the cargo.” Arrest warrants are expected for many of them. On page 3

Godo Debate reopens after the wave of crime On page 3

KORÇË On page 9

Details of the tragic incident that shook Tropojë “Ha[k]laj didn’t kill for blood feud” Police officers from the station speak TROPOJË - The tragedy at the Tropojë police station remains a mystery. Associates of Haklaj and Hoxha testify about the tragedy step by step. “Haklaj did not kill out of blood feud—they testify—it was unexpected, what happened. The two had a good working relationship.” The funeral ceremony for the slain border commander took place on the second day, and Ceka’s envoys also attended. The new head of the Tropojë police station was appointed yesterday, and the situation appears calm. Haklaj has left for an unknown destination and a search has been launched for him. On page 9

“What can you expect when five people work in a room measuring 3 by 3?” “The secrecy of the investigation is not preserved in the case files” “What can you expect when five people work in a room measuring 3 by 3?” Tirana Prosecutor: Nano, Give Us Offices “The secrecy of the investigation is not preserved in the case files” TIRANË — “I don’t know what else to do; we’re working in very difficult conditions.” Bujar Sheshi, Chief Prosecutor of Tirana, has before him a chart showing the number of offices and the prosecutors assigned to them, and is trying to find room for one more. “Where should I put him?” he says, the tip of his pen unable to settle anywhere. He considers finding a suitable place, but all the premises are occupied. Finally, he decides that the new prosecutor will have to fit in, desk and all, in an office where there are already three other prosecutors. “In rooms measuring three by three, where there isn’t even enough cubic space for one person to breathe, five people work,” Sheshi tells the newspaper, describing the difficulties at the start of the year. The Tirana Prosecutor’s Office has a total of 32 prosecutors, 40 investigators and 20 other administrative staff. All together, they number around 100 people, accommodated as if in wartime, in 20 offices. “A short while ago, ten judicial police officers were hired here, while several investigators became prosecutors,” says the head of the prosecution service in Tirana. Speaking about the new offices, he says: “Working with dozens of case files is a cause for concern; having so many people and so little space puts us in a very disadvantaged position.” Sheshi says that working this way means the secrecy of investigations cannot be preserved, even though it is extremely important in a prosecutor’s work. “One of you three will question someone; that person sits in front of him and gives an account, while four other people are there too—and others may be being questioned in the office at the same time. What can you expect in such a situation? Nothing remains secret; you think it is, while the news has already spread from mouth to mouth.” During an ordinary working day, the Chief Prosecutor of Tirana also has to deal with the smallest problems affecting prosecutors, secretaries and even cleaners. Two deplorable bathrooms, narrow corridors, small offices, ceilings that leak when it rains: this is the gloomy picture of the district prosecutor’s office. The place where the prosecution prepares its cases is also where people worry about files, safes, missing papers or phones that break down. “Careful with that phone—it’s a precious thing, for heaven’s sake,” says one prosecutor, indicating the best position for hearing the voice through the receiver. Prosecutor Sheshi is asking the Nano government to give more thought to the conditions at the Prosecutor’s Office and find a way to improve the work premises. It has recently been rumored that the General Prosecutor’s Office will move to the premises of the National Agrarian Bank, and that the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office will move into the space left vacant. But nothing has been done. Speaking about investigative matters, Sheshi describes the new arrangement, with four prosecutors and four investigators assigned to work together for each police station. The latest idea he is considering involves amending the law. In his view, all types of goods brought in through smuggling—including weapons, drugs, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages—should not be considered criminal offenses. Their illegal entry should instead be prevented through fines and the seizure of the goods and vehicles... Roland Zilli

Today 12 pages, 30 lekë TV GAZETTE Yaron Cohen, the man known as Dana Famous films, shows, news programs and details about the lives of today’s fashionable VIPs. On pages 5–8

FOOTBALL / THE FIRST MATCHES OF THE YEAR Albanian Cup:

Albanian Cup: Teams in turmoil TIRANA - Football begins the year amid controversy. Besa takes the field with a youth-team lineup. The reason: the coach. Olimpik is in the same situation. Sejdini’s departure has also taken the president with him. The newly elected secretary, Morina, promises a quick solution to the problems and Sejdini’s return to his post. In Korçë and Elbasan, players await the results of the penalties imposed in favor of the home teams. Stones were thrown at the Shkodër players in Ballsh, but the players behaved correctly toward one another. Morina and Sejdini: the first brings the second back to the bench (P. Ilo) On pages 10–11

PS On page 2

PD On page 2