When the truncheon replaces the law Statement by the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania When the truncheon replaces the law The rule of law is dead Statement by the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania On 16 February 1996, Fatos Veliu, correspondent for the independent newspaper “Koha Jonë” in the Saranda district, was brutally beaten in the offices of the police station in that city because the newspaper had published a report about thefts in the city. Journalist Fatos Veliu was summoned to the police station at around 14:00 and came out beaten and bloodied more than two hours later. The Association of Professional Journalists of Albania considers this barbaric act by the Saranda police against a journalist to be the most serious case in a series of detentions and mistreatment of Albanian journalists by the police. This case reflects the unbridled official arrogance directed against the independent and opposition press. The indifference of the competent authorities toward previous cases has served, and continues to serve, as permission and encouragement for politicized police officers who abuse their uniforms and positions by laying hands on free journalists. Moreover, the overall pattern of journalists being taken into custody and mistreated by the police shows that the architects and advocates of a police regime are using the lowest means—beating journalists—to oppose the principles of an open democratic society, which cannot be conceived without freedom of the press and of the journalist. The Association of Professional Journalists of Albania strongly protests the beating of journalist Fatos Veliu and calls on state officials and the Ministry of the Interior to take strict legal measures against those who ordered and carried out the beating. The Albanian state today has the necessary legal framework, both to hold those responsible for false reports to account and to punish defamation in the press. When the truncheon is used instead of the law, the rule of law is dead. Our association invites all journalists and the Journalists’ Union of Albania to join us in raising the voice of civic and professional protest against the imprisonment, beatings and bloodying of free journalists.

Durrës, shocking testimony in the kidnapping trial “Here’s how I sold the little ones” Durrës, shocking testimony in the kidnapping trial Three children sold for 115,000 lekë “Here’s how I sold the little ones” The questioning of the defendants in connection with the sale of three Albanian children concluded yesterday. Shocking facts emerged in the kidnapping case of little Luku from Durrës. Perhaps the first child-kidnapping trial in Albania brought an unprecedented fact to light in yesterday’s court hearing, at least publicly: the Dema couple sold three children—two of their own and the third, little Luku—for just 115,000 lekë. Although the shocking event took place in the middle of last year, nothing is yet known about the fate of three-year-old Luku, while in the court hearings his parents and relatives have done nothing but sob. The next hearing, at which the verdict is expected to be delivered, will take place tomorrow. Page 7

Yesterday: Democratic Party press conference “We have many things in common with the European left” “No cooperation with left-wing extremism, no cooperation with the fascist or collaborationist right. The DP is not in favor of pre-election coalitions, but of cooperation,” Tritan Shehu said yesterday. Yesterday: Democratic Party press conference T. Shehu: Socialists, distance yourselves from the dictators “We have many things in common with the European left” “No cooperation with left-wing extremism, no cooperation with the fascist or collaborationist right. The DP is not in favor of pre-election coalitions, but of cooperation,” Tritan Shehu said yesterday, and then promised that “after winning more than 50% of parliament, the DP will invite the parties closest to its political spectrum to join the next government in a coalition.” He said, “I am convinced that the DP will win decisively.” Page 3

The Italian government approved the immigration law All undocumented migrants without residence permits will be expelled; anyone who violates this rule will be sentenced to between six months and three years in prison A scene from the influx of Albanians onto the shores of Italy Page 12

The gold is being returned to the Albanians, but not Europe’s “debts” PS, PAD and PSD in France The gold is being returned to the Albanians, but not Europe’s “debts” The mystery of Albanian gold is solved PS, PAD and PSD in France The end of our “Red Front” The French right-wing center “forgets” the DP Page 4

PS files lawsuit with the Court Dokle: “Three provisions of the law should be declared unconstitutional” PS files lawsuit with the Court “Electoral Law” before the Constitutional Court Dokle: “Three provisions of the law should be declared unconstitutional” Page 2

Greece: Meeting of Justice Ministers concludes The first 200 prisoners will be returned by the end of February Greece: Meeting of Justice Ministers concludes Easier to reclaim property The first 200 prisoners will be returned by the end of February Page 5

Special feature in this issue: Private radio and television in Albania ▪ The latest from theatre and cinema ▪ Interviews and blitz reports from around the world ▪ Selected literature: “In the Depths of Darkness,” by Izabel Aljende; “Venus and the Others,” by Xhon Apdajk; stories by Rudyard Kipling and poems by Demir Gjergji