It seems to me that the state, before the present government, bears responsibility for the political management of the situation, trying at all costs to preserve its image. Tirana, seen from another place and with different eyes, is a polluted center. Go out into the street and you feel a heavy smell. Yes. Yes, an extremely great pollution with chemicals[?] or with a completely new official idea of propaganda, under the guise of morality, before the public. Yes, someone, innocently, thinks that this is a deed that has started to come to an end?! Quite the opposite. For days now, their monumental gestures against the opposition have become even more visible. Very ordinary people are being attacked and insulted so that they may understand that their political force of propaganda has taken on other dimensions. At first glance it is clear that they want to make an example at the expense of the newspaper “Koha Jonë”, at the expense of our world. Despite the fact that, in reality, we are entirely defending a legitimate cause. The other Christian Democrats have dealt with them. PD needs to preserve its hidden “victory”. Their power will not succeed in closing this story; it will once again set in motion not only journalists but also the non-players of force. We express in a special voice a broader thought in moral terms, that these are serious signs that must first be seen in the judgment of the public. What is happening must no longer be part of the relationship between the state and the free and incomparable press. For this article, the first signs have been given. This is now happening in several cases. The Democratic Party is exerting open pressure. At the same time, the state is using the police and interventions, making it impossible to speak about the way this country is heading toward its next clash. What appears to be an opening toward the public, for us is in fact a possible shock. At the end of the day everything comes down to the question of whether those voices that are not part of this climate will still be allowed or whether they will be forcibly silenced. Will this unrestrained attack on the press stop? These questions are being asked of every citizen. And in fact their words against the opposition are words demanding the shutting down of yet another source of freedom of expression. The opponents are catching the threads of corruption. At the very least, public opinion is being told the truth. So stop? Why, so often these days within the ranks of PD are people with other intentions being lined up? Why is so much noise being made around a responsibility that is not the public’s? Yes, this is being seen as a preparation for entering the campaign. An election campaign launched in this political situation, framed by media bias, is an even greater rupture for the country. What favors peace is for the forces to respect one another and the rules. Those signs that seem to have begun to appear are not accidental. The tyrant remains only the present-day moment within the ranks of PD, from the 1st vote-elections.

From the day I learned the name of the editor-in-chief of our season, “Koha Jonë”, a few hours later, the vehicle of the Minister of the Interior, Safet Zhulali, came and parked near me. This led me to think that it was a reaction of a coincidental moment. But later, in fact, things became more serious. I was placed under surveillance. I was followed by police cars, I suspected that my phone was being tapped. I felt surrounded. Of course, I have not been able to describe all these things that happened to me, but now I am forced to tell them. The editor-in-chief and the journalist are under pressure. And for this, I believe the time has come to speak. To write. To testify. I am sure that such pressure is not accidental. It is all linked to the general political climate and to the publication of our newspaper’s articles. We have received many threats. Other forms of intimidation have also been used. Police have been moving around us. They followed me day and night. Rumors have spread that we could be attacked. I was advised to keep quiet. But I will not be silent. These are clear signs that the new experience of an independent press is being put to the test. What is happening to us is not only a personal matter. It is a matter of press freedom and the right to publish the truth. If it happens today to “Koha Jonë”, tomorrow it can happen to anyone. Therefore I make this concern public and ask the authorities to provide explanations. Such a climate cannot be accepted. I hope that the institutions and public opinion understand the seriousness of the situation. (Read on page 5)

On behalf of the company, after the suspension of the penal case and release from house arrest, I would like to thank the senior journalist BROK ÇUPI for his contribution as editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Koha Jonë”. Deep professional gratitude, his persistence, both individual and professional, the unwavering belief that the newspaper “Koha Jonë” has gone through, has won, has withstood. We thank the citizens of the republic who showed that they have become people with an awareness of freedom. The first part of the news is that a crumb of the journalist and likewise some of the presentation of the crime of writing, etc., is in a place that is finally free. What has happened in Albania is, for us, a sign that despite political and administrative pressures and the collapse that is happening, public opinion has nonetheless gained momentum. Instead of calling it a victory of the opposition, we will call it a victory of public opinion. The use of force against the written word, against the newspaper “Koha Jonë”, was opposed by all free people. And for this, we say: thank you. ALEKSANDËR FRANGAJ

(Read on page 5)