Unexpected decision / An investigation into all customs offices: Where did the 80 million USD go The Prosecutor’s Office has decided to remove the file and responsibility from its offices. A week after Gazmend Biba, Lulzim Basha? [?], and the other spokespersons of the institutions, in the indoctrinating media and in certain economic circles, have attacked it with comments of the day for “witch hunting” and “nervous pressure” on the part of the Prosecutor’s Office, what everyone had been waiting for with tension has happened: an investigation has begun into all the country’s customs offices. Will traders? or officials? answer for this huge shortage, which turns out to be the state’s largest financial loss. New facts? the inspection group? consisting of officials from the General Directorate of Taxation, inspectors from the High State Control and judicial police officers were yesterday at the General Directorate of Customs. According to the order of the Tirana district prosecutor’s office, the group formed by various leaders inspected all procedures, cash books, and fiscal documentation of all customs points. The investigation has been extended to several levels and aims to reveal where around 80 million USD, reported as losses by Albanian customs, have gone. In recent years there has often been talk of smuggling, undervaluation of goods, and a lack of control in this sector. The Prosecutor’s Office appears determined not to yield this time to political and economic pressure. The investigations are expected to include both current and former leaders of the customs administration.

Deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Fino PHOTO GENT SHKULLAKU Page 3

Politically, he holds the monopoly on customs points; without his approval, no goods can pass through the other customs officers Page 3

Page 7 hiding the crime BY BLEDI FEYZIU The Prosecutor’s Office has decided to remove the file and responsibility from its offices. A week after Gazmend Biba, Lulzim Basha? [?], and the other spokespersons of the institutions, in the indoctrinating media and in certain economic circles, have attacked it with comments of the day for “witch hunting” and “nervous pressure” on the part of the Prosecutor’s Office, what everyone had been waiting for with tension has happened: an investigation has begun into all the country’s customs offices. Traders or officials will answer for this huge shortage, which turns out to be the state’s largest financial loss. The fiscal measures taken during the final part of Nano’s government were supposed to be implemented to the very last detail and every politician had to give his own response. In the end, and after numerous denials, Arben Malaj? had declared that the country’s budget was in crisis. Although often labeled as “charlatans” and accused of abuses, the investigators have managed to highlight a scheme of exploiting customs for clientelist interests. There are dozens of names involved in this scandal, but concrete evidence and facts have not yet been secured to denounce them.

Communist MP Hasani statement in Parliament Page 3

There were 40 people, they marched more than 100 meters into Albania Page 6

Purges in the police Page 6

PD files in the Prosecutor’s Office F 9

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