SONG SCANDAL / “We were forced by the newspaper articles” The Festival is taken to court The chief prosecutor confirms the start of investigations Evidence: the letter and the recorded tape. Ciko, Gjosh and Shqini questioned From the accusatory behavior? Zhani Ciko TIRANA - The festival scandal is being turned into a case and is making it possible for the prosecutor's office to take the matter in hand. Immediately after Wednesday, in fact after Friday with television, Chief Prosecutor Arben Rakipi announced that the 36th festival will be the subject of a criminal investigation. Nearly all the figures involved in this scandal will be questioned: organizers, TVSH officials, performers, authors, and journalists. First of all, attention is focused on the letter sent to the President of the Republic, Rexhep Mejdani, requesting that the 36th RTSH festival be investigated criminally. The letter was also sent to the General Prosecutor's Office, and a photocopy of it is also in our newsroom. Then comes another important piece of evidence, a tape recorded in the office of the artistic director Zhani Ciko, where parts of conversations have been heard that imply bias and interference in the judging. This has prompted the prosecutor's office to begin checks. Zhani Ciko, Gjosh, Shqini, and other people involved in organizing the festival will be summoned for questioning. The investigation is expected to focus on the way the songs were selected, on the committees, and on the procedures followed during the festival. (Text partially unreadable in the image.) Under fire and the accusatory display Zhani Ciko

The Social Democrats propose a historic coalition Europe Bring down the urge and dialogue with dialogue TIRANA - Edi? is making another appeal for an electoral coalition, this time according to a new scheme. The senior Social Democratic official is proposing a new political alliance aimed at confronting Berisha. It is understood that in the latest meetings the idea of a broad opposition front was put forward. The article continues on page 2. Gjinushi's secretary

Kujto? and Hajdaraga in the PS leadership TIRANA - People have lost trust in us because of bad governance and the arrogance of the ministers. This is the essence of the criticism expressed in a meeting of PS structures, where the problems with the electorate and the distance from the grassroots were discussed. According to the article, more communication with citizens and less bureaucracy from the ministers was requested. The article continues on page 3. Scenography? office

REPORTAGE BY ARBENJAKTIVE "This is how we conduct trials" Spectator judges TIRANA - The judges who appear under the eyes of the media have placed the public and the way hearings are conducted at the center of attention. In courtrooms, solemnity and organization are often lacking, while the parties act with nervousness and tension. The article describes episodes from the hearings and the role of judges as spectators. The article continues on page 3.

The minister brings Sotol Derveni Harvini: I will not leave the Shkodër police Police commissioner of Shkodër Police commissioner of Shkodër: I have it at the police station, You leave, have you? Eibasani! travel to Korçë! with it the capital of the South

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English and Italian translations of extracted text ENGLISH: GAZETA SHQIPTARE - Independent political daily. Tuesday, January 20, 1998. Year V, No. 863. Festival goes to court. The chief prosecutor confirms the start of investigations. Evidence: the letter and the recorded tape. Ciko, Gjosh and Shqini questioned. Gjinushi: We are making an alliance against Berisha. Ministers separate us from the people. Harvini: I will not leave the Shkodra police. Special horoscope. New confusion over the Otranto tragedy. Rakipi: I am ready to investigate Berisha. "This is how we conduct trials" Judges as spectators. ITALIANO: GAZETA SHQIPTARE - Quotidiano politico indipendente. Martedì 20 gennaio 1998. Anno V, n. 863. Il festival finisce in tribunale. Il procuratore generale conferma l'avvio delle indagini. Prove: la lettera e la cassetta registrata. Ciko, Gjosh e Shqini interrogati. Gjinushi: Facciamo un'alleanza contro Berisha. I ministri ci separano dalla gente. Harvini: Non lascerò la polizia di Scutari. Speciale oroscopo. Nuove incertezze sulla tragedia di Otranto. Rakipi: Sono pronto a indagare su Berisha. "Ecco come facciamo i processi" I giudici spettatori.

ALBANIANS WANT US TO BE TOO On page 12

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