SPECIAL FEATURE/ Today is Anti-Smoking Day On page 3

Agim Myrto: “What I did together with my friends, I didn’t do because I wanted to take you hostage, but because you slapped me in front of people, and I won’t forgive you for that” THE LAÇ COMMISSIONER Secret phone calls with the gang boss Agim Myrto: “What I did together with my friends, I didn’t do because I wanted to take you hostage, but because you slapped me in front of people, and I won’t forgive you for that” On page 2

INTERVIEW/ RUKA SPEAKS “A small, malignant faction of the SP feeds public opinion and Berisha with slander,” says the Minister of Education. In an interview with the newspaper, Ed’hem Ruka reveals his “pockets.” He says he lives alone in an apartment no larger than 80 square meters and calls absurd the accusations that he is building a multi-storey apartment block. Ruka says that only Prime Minister Meta can decide to remove him from the Government. He also announces that he will refuse the post of chairman of the Tirana SP, thanking everyone who nominated him. Recently, your name has begun to be mentioned frequently in various media. You have been accused of building illegally. What is the truth? “I understand the substance of your question. My answer is categorical. Apart from the income I declared on the forms completed by some state officials, which has also been made public, I have no other assets. For some time, public opinion has been fed the story that I am building apartment blocks, even without permits. Absurdities. Two years ago, I had only one room and a kitchen, together measuring less than 50 square meters. But somehow I, too, became ‘very rich.’ Continued on page 9

Privatization of “Kantina e Pijeve Gj.K Skënderbeu”. Pages 23–31

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31 MAY WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY … I have cancer. TOBACCO KILLS DON’T FALL INTO ITS TRAP NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION