I am asking Mr. Berisha for this publicly today. I, Frrok Çupi—the journalist—am asking my friend, Dr. Sali Berisha, for this. I, the first editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike,” ask this of the second chairman of the Democratic Party. I, a citizen of Albania, ask this of the President of the state: What is left for you to do against me, dear President? By FRROK ÇUPI ON PAGE 3.

FIER CRIME IS ON THE RISE, WHILE A POLICE OFFICIAL BUILDS A VILLA WITH ONE YEAR’S SAVINGS?! A REPEATED CASE. SHELL CASINGS SHOW THAT THE SAME AUTOMATIC WEAPON WAS USED IN 8 CASES. This unusual incident took place a few days ago in the city of Fier. At around 3:30 p.m., a person wearing a mask and carrying an automatic weapon entered several establishments in the 11 Janari neighborhood and, threatening those present, robbed them of the money they had on them. According to several witnesses, few people resisted. After firing several shots into the air with the automatic weapon—while several cousins on the surrounding balconies miraculously escaped harm—the criminal calmly walked away, undisturbed by anyone. Unfortunately, there was not a single police officer around, despite their considerable numbers. The incident is unusual in the way it was carried out, but it says nothing new about the high level of crime in the district. Not a day goes by without automatic weapons being heard. Quite a few people are losing their lives to automatic-weapon fire. And, as always, the police arrive late at the scene and collect only the shell casings littering the city’s pavements. The shell casings show that the same automatic weapon was used in 8 cases. The police station’s authorities are unable to stop the criminal. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens are worried for their lives when they inadvertently become witnesses to gruesome incidents. It seems as though the police are looking after only their own concerns; the station’s prolonged silence is unforgivable and unacceptable. People cannot explain how an important official at the police station could build a villa with the savings from one year’s salary.

After Ramiz Alia, Kino Buxheli is the second person convicted after the declaration of pluralism to be released from prison after serving his sentence. The news about Mr. Buxheli was confirmed by the prison through a prison official who refused to speak. Sentenced to 3 years in prison, Kino Buxheli submitted a request to the prison for conditional release, and the directorate referred it to the court for review. The latter, although it was supposed to make a decision within one month, issued its decision only after three months. Under the law, when a convicted person submits a request and has served more than half of the sentence in prison, they are entitled to and may be released early on parole. In this particular case, Mr. Kino BuxhelI had served two years and three months of his three-year sentence. That meant he had nine months left, thus meeting the aforementioned condition. At present, all convicted persons can benefit from such a law. Meanwhile, the latest circular issued by the newly appointed Chairman of the Court of Cassation, Mr. Zef Brozi, states that only those sentenced to three years or less may benefit from this law. This new wording is reportedly to be presented as a bill in Parliament soon. A. SIIKULLAKU

Yesterday, as we were informed, Mr. Kristaq Traja was relieved of his duties as Deputy Minister of Justice. It is also reported that he has been appointed chairman of the district court of Lac. Mr. Traja is known as one of the most capable jurists in all of Albania and has also taken part in many committees drafting bills for Parliament, as well as on the Constitution Commission. Unofficial sources say that the city of Lac greatly needed the skills of this well-known Albanian jurist.