Berisha called for Selami’s dismissal From yesterday’s meeting of the PD National Council The PD Extraordinary Conference on 5 March Selami, Shehu, Hajdari and Spahija exclusively for “Koha Jonë”

Transported by Russian-type aircraft to an unknown destination Gjadër Airport Zhulali: They have gone neither to Serbia nor to Bosnia (page 2)

The “Walnut Wood” file Several days ago, the prosecution issued an arrest warrant for him; he is outside Albania. He initially went to Italy on a scholarship

Late last night, close to midnight, the urgent meeting of the Democratic Party ended, to the detriment of its chairman, Eduard Selami. Rather than discussing the PD chairman’s proposal on the method of adopting the Constitution, the meeting was held to determine who would lead the party in the future: until 5 March, Berisha is the winner. Despite his defeats in the referendum, over Brozi, and over the release of the minorities, Sali Berisha has refused to relinquish his position as the party’s de facto leader. Berisha chaired the meeting and set its agenda, according to reports. (Continued on page 3) Photo: A. BABANI

warrant for former Minister of Trade and Economic Relations with Foreign Countries, Artan Hoxha. Such a measure was more or less expected, given the investigation into the export of walnut wood. But Hoxha has been outside Albania for about a year. He initially went to Italy on a nine-month postgraduate study scholarship. There is no information about his most recent whereabouts. The source at the prosecution also declined to clarify whether the arrest warrant for Artan Hoxha is international or not.

Following several days of silence regarding “The Arsidi Case,” the newspaper “Koha Jonë” contacted the competent authorities. First, the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office. Genc Gjokutaj, the prosecutor in “The Arsidi Case,” said in response to our question about the trial before the Court of Appeal: “In accordance with the legal rules, that is, within the eight days provided for by law, the District Prosecutor’s Office, after making the defendants aware of it, submitted the appeal concerning the decision of the Tirana Court to the Tirana Court. We expect the Court of Appeal, in accordance with the rules and laws in force, to decide the fate of “The Arsidi Case.” Second, the Court of Appeal. The president of this court, Mr. Prel Martini, very courteously and with consideration for the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” stated: “On February 27, Monday, at 9:00, “The Arsidi Case” will be heard at the Court of Appeal by a panel of judges that will be announced that day. The important thing is that on February 27 this case will get underway; it will either be returned to the Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation or returned to the Tirana Court for the judicial proceedings to continue.

Yesterday, in parallel with the PD, the Opposition met to discuss the Constitution 50% fewer powers for the president A Parliamentary Republic is being sought page 2

Culture The first night of San Remo begins tonight page 12

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Sport Tirana on the way to the championship title -A model week in all the stadiums in the country page 14