The head of SHIK in Elbasan: Melo is seeking to divide the Orthodox and Muslim communities Villagers: Melo promised us Greek visas Hundreds protest against PBDNJ page 3 photo A. BABANI

13 police officers in the dock. They had helped 20 escapees The night of 15 January is now being examined. The 12 police officers from unit 313 and one from unit 88, who were on duty that unusual night, sat in the dock yesterday after a three-month investigation. The prosecutor read the indictment, according to which the police officers helped the 20 convicts make their sensational escape. The trial will continue with the hearing of witnesses. Halit Aga, Maliq Llapushi, Besim Gjoni, Albert Bitri, Baftjar Ndreu, Nexhit Picari, Pëllumb Koçi, Bedri Halili, Riza Ndreu, Engjëll Kallulli, Ndriçim Haxhillari, Hamit Gjata and Gjenç Nurçelari, former employees at Tirana prison, are accused of “violating the rules of guard duty, as a result of which 20 prisoners serving sentences in this prison escaped.” Prosecutor Petrit Bici, who presented the case, reconstructed the night of 15 January this year before the judges, detailing the route taken by the 20 convicts. “After forcing open the door of the dining hall, they unlocked the door of the food storeroom, sawed through the bars on the storeroom window—there were four bars 18 mm thick and a pipe—and climbed over the kitchen roof.” Then they cut with pliers the wires separating unit 313 from unit 88. They crossed the grounds of that unit and, once they had touched freedom with their own hands, emerged onto the ring road, where darkness swallowed them up. But the 20 convicts did not all get out one after another. The first 10 escaped initially, while the other half followed about half an hour later. The escape, according to the indictment, took place between 9 p.m. and 10:35 p.m. During that period, the 13 police officers were on duty at the prison. However, all but one of the defendants denied the charges. At the end of yesterday’s proceedings, military judge Fatmira Lasku set next Tuesday for the continuation of the hearing, at which six captured escapees will testify. ALFRED PEZA

Unable to eliminate the border with Kosovo, the president is calling for it to be liberalized New proposals for Belgrade. Not war, but talks page 3

The 76th anniversary of Tirana football legend M. Alla is celebrated Last night in Tirana Yesterday afternoon, the Gega brothers inaugurated the Nacional bar-restaurant, named after the distinguished former coach of Tirana and our national team, Mr. Myslym Alla. Alongside a large number of guests, many of them athletes and sports officials, Prime Minister Meksi, his deputy D. Shehu, and MPs T. Shehu, G. Ruli, etc., took part. Those present shared personal memories of Alla and his contribution to sport.

The Commission for the Fight Against Cholera meets page 2

If the Government and Parliament do not take measures to protect pluralism of free speech within May of this year, 40% of the print press will go bankrupt MPs speak out in defense of the press page 5 Government Press tax 15% 5%

This network controls 50% of the drugs moving through the Balkans page 4