THE MINISTER “REPLIES” TO TOPI: PARDONS, NOT JUST FOR THE HOLIDAYS Halimi: Sentence pardons, here are the procedures Within the week, proposals for reducing sentences or releasing prisoners will be submitted to the presidency. One-third of all convicts across Albania have applied By VALENTINA MADANI The Ministry of Justice will not make the convicted persons’ requests for pardon, which will be sent within a few days to the head of state, Bamir Topi. The Minister of Justice, Eduard Halimi, in an interview given yesterday to “Gazeta Shqiptare,” explains the new legal procedures being followed to complete the files and criteria. In addition to the proposals for rejection that have been sent to the President, there will also be proposals for acceptance. According to Mr. Halimi, “pardon” is an attribute of the President of the Republic. He clarifies that current law does not provide a specific time for when the pardon of convicts must be granted, thus responding also to statements made a few days earlier by President Topi that there is no proposal for amnesty in his office. “Within this week there will also be proposals from the Ministry for acceptance of requests, in addition to those that have been sent for rejection.” - says Mr. Halimi. ... Continued on pages 2-3

Durrës-Sarandë, 1 ton of hashish seized, destined for the EU (In photo): The drugs seized yesterday in a pickup truck in Sarandë The “TRIO” file, those arrested are part of an important international network that transported cannabis to Western Europe Hashish, weapons, bullets, a machine for cutting drugs, and a “Hummer” were seized from the arrested Leonard Dushi, Agim Hasaj, Leonard Sterkaj, Ervis Bici On pages 8-9

FULL INSPECTION REPORT “XHUVANI”, JUSTICE: THE PROSECUTOR CHANGED THE CHARGE WITHIN THE DAY On pages 4-5

“INGRES’ VIOLIN” CREATED IN 1924 “INGRES’ VIOLIN” CREATED IN 1924 Card, Edi Rama sends holiday greetings with a nude photograph On page 6

Today’s Opinion By AHMET SHQARRI In the case of ceremonies or special events, especially during the end-of-year holidays, gifts have become commonplace, so much so that sometimes... Gift paradox! Continued on page 22

Today’s Opinion By ILIR DHIMA Various lexicons explain the compound word formed by combining the past and present tenses, “thashethem,” as gossiping,... Rumors with an empty sack Continued on page 23

VISIT TO DURRËS Topi: I have become an obsession for them, I am no one’s appendage On page 3

THE VERDICT Court: 1.6 years in prison and a fine for Paro Laçi On page 14

THE FIRST NOVEL Fatos Kongoli: Tirana insulted me, while Prishtina did not On pages 20-21

HOSPITAL INFECTIONS HOSPITAL INFECTIONS Doctors perform operations without washing their hands, 50 fines at QSUT On page 11