Mendiluçe: I will present my concerns about Albanian democracy to the European Parliament The leader of the European Parliament declared yesterday in Tirana “The anti-genocide law and the electoral law you are showing me cannot be democratic,” José Mendiluçe told PSD chairman Skënder Gjinushi yesterday morning. “Amnesty International has also described Nano as a political prisoner. I share that view. Nano should be free,” Mendiluçe is reported to have told Socialist representatives. page 3–4

Gjinushi: Parliament has no right to investigate the independent newspaper “Koha Jonë” Yesterday in Parliament page 3

Godo: The Alliance’s electorate should support the candidate they can agree on Yesterday, meeting of the Right-Wing Alliance page 4

A former border soldier also behind bars Within a few days, the Prosecutor’s Office identifies three people page 7

Two minor children lose their lives Berat, a family ends up in hospital after being poisoned page 5

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Nefail Piranjti leaves the stage after a 27-year career page 19

Fevziu had been accused by Blerim Çela Court of Appeal page 2

But when he is arrested, she withdraws the complaint The 20-year-old recants in the courtroom A young woman reports her boyfriend for sexual assault. But then she has second thoughts and withdraws the complaint, only to tell the story all over again, this time, of course, without manipulating the “judicial process.” And the judges, faced with such a situation—which is certainly not very common—question the serious charge brought against the aggressor, thus allowing the couple to continue their previous relationship. This is the essence of the episode that “challenged” Judge Bashkim Dede yesterday, who decided, after 48 hours in a cell, to return K. Zeka to her boyfriend’s arms. page 5

Dozens of dismissals and new appointments in courts and prosecutors’ offices Yesterday at the meeting of the High Council of Justice The latest meeting of the High Council of Justice was held yesterday afternoon at the Presidency. After nearly four hours of discussions, proposals and debates, many of the proposed changes are reported to have been approved. Meanwhile, contrary to expectations, the names of people holding very important positions in the Albanian justice system who were expected to be replaced were absent from this wave of changes. Nevertheless, the changes approved yesterday afternoon were numerous enough to balance the distribution of positions. Dozens of new appointments have been made at the capital’s court and prosecutor’s office, without overlooking those in other districts of the country, prompting a veritable storm yesterday throughout the hierarchy of the Albanian justice system. A notable development, unlike previous practice, was the immediate dismissal of nearly 50 percent of the staff of the Vlora District Court. Also approved yesterday was the dismissal of the former Deputy Prosecutor of Tirana, Mr. Genc Gjokutaj, who left Albania for the United States just 40 days ago. page 2

“The PS’s future candidates are no different from those of the PPSH” Yesterday, the President’s press conference Yesterday, at Berisha’s press conference, the Socialists were once again in his sights. “The intellectuals who have left, this party’s non-acceptance into the Socialist International, the PS’s lack of humanism toward those arriving in urban areas, as well as its continuing along the path of the PPSH”—these are the arguments the head of state chose this time to attack the party that soon hopes to take power in Albania. Photo: B. BARAJ page 3