The Tax “top brass” in prosecutor’s office THE VAT FRAUD SCHEME IS EXPOSED, 11 COMPANIES INVOLVED The Ministry of Finance files a complaint against 8 former executives and employees of the Tirana Tax Directorate. Suspicion: they stole using false invoices and deregistered companies By LORENC RABETA The Ministry of Finance has referred eight tax officials for criminal prosecution to the General Prosecutor’s Office over a VAT fraud scheme through which 5 million dollars were stolen from state coffers. Several Asian companies were involved in the scheme, which, in cooperation with some Albanian companies, defrauded through Value Added Tax invoices. “The facts and elements uncovered fulfill the elements of the criminal offense of ‘Theft committed by abuse of duty’, an offense committed in collaboration, as provided for by Article 135 as well as Articles 25 and 26 of the Penal Code. The amount of the theft caused is 515,455,275 lekë,” the General Directorate of Taxes (DPT) announced in a press release. In yesterday’s statement, the DPT says that, at the request of the General Director of Taxes, the Internal Audit Directorate in the Ministry of Finance audited the reimbursement procedures... Continues on page 7

Police: Suspected revenge On page 8

Opinion of the Day By EDUARD ZALOSHNJA After the tragic accident on the Lezhë-Shkodër road, in which 5 young people lost their lives, Prime Minister Rama wrote these words on his “Facebook” page... The 5 victims of Shkodra and the prevention of victims Continues on page 18

Opinion of the Day By KIÇO BLUSHI It is clear that Rama’s PS, especially after coming to power, is trying to make the definitive long-awaited break from the “old jackets”... Demilitarization of politics as an innovation Continues on page 19

Former PD deputy: There is no political protection Interview Selami Xhepa: The incompetent should leave the administration On page 4

Nard Ndoka: A crime, our reborn supporters were insulted and humiliated Erdogan: An Albanian wrote the Turkish anthem. Rama and Thaçi: Fraternal cooperation (In the photo:) Prime Minister Edi Rama with his Kosovar counterpart Hashim Thaçi and the Turkish one, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, yesterday in Pristina The “Adem Jashari” terminal is inaugurated in Pristina. The Turkish prime minister: I can no longer stand tears being shed in the Balkans. Rama: The three states are strategic partners By DARINA TANUSHI The strong friendship between Albania, Turkey and Kosovo was revealed not only by the side-by-side waving of the flags, but also by the handshake of Prime Ministers Rama, Erdogan and Thaçi in Kosovo. On page 3

Appointments On page 9

President of the PSD On page 6

The new director speaks Gjet Nd[?]oj: I was in the police, Rama gave me confidence in the Archive On page 16

Former deputy director of SHISH in Durrës Prosecutor’s Office: Isa Çopa was killed. Wife: The state must do justice On page 15