Fatos Nano writes from prison: “It is never too late for the judicial authorities to back away from violating the law” Dokle: “Nano must be released”

Yesterday in the People’s Assembly PD deputy Arben Lika’s immunity is lifted He will face criminal prosecution Yesterday, during the Assembly’s morning session

His removal as chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Defence, Public Order and SHIK is being sought Independent deputy Ridan Peshkëpia is also leaving this commission page 3

-Albania is being brought to international attention through the misused term “pederasty.” The International Lesbian and Gay Association is concerned about the severe penalties in Albania’s draft Penal Code and warns the government page 12 International Lesbian and Gay Association Administrative Office 12 July 1994

Yesterday, during the morning session of the People’s Assembly, a vote was held in favour of lifting the immunity of PD deputy Mr Arben Lika, in accordance with the request previously submitted by the General Prosecutor’s Office. Socialist deputies did not take part in the vote because their parliamentary group chairman, Mr Dokle, was not given the floor before the vote on this matter. Deputy Lika himself said, more or less, that he agreed to submit to justice, describing himself as clean and saying that the case against him had nothing to do with illegal financial activities but was a political game. As reported, the previous day the PD parliamentary group, at a meeting, had considered the Prosecutor’s Office’s request to lift deputy Arben Lika’s immunity and refer him for criminal prosecution reasonable, since he had engaged in illegal financial activities. According to information available so far, deputy Lika is said to have been involved in cigarette smuggling, which he has been suspected of for some time. A few days ago, a considerable quantity of ARDA cigarettes, smuggled through the Kakavijë customs post, managed to get through; they were later seized at the exit from Fier. On Monday morning, five people were detained at the Kakavijë customs post by the Tirana public order police. According to information from Gjirokastra, the three detained customs officers were released yesterday at around 11, while the customs director and the customs police commander continue to be held in custody. Deputy Arben Lika, now without immunity, is thought to have been implicated in this incident. The smuggled cigarettes may have passed through customs disguised as humanitarian aid for the Albanian Youth Federation.

PS rally, July 1994 photo D. KABA PS rally, July 1994 — photo D. KABA

Dokle: “Nano must be released” PS press conference Judicial authorities should released” PS press conference page 3