After the arrests, Ambassador Lino speaks / The US government is concerned

BY BLENDI FEVZIU Just when it seemed that the prosecution and the courts had won their battle with politics, following a rally like that of the PD on Monday, where the expected turnout and enthusiasm were absent, the latter has once again given a new direction to the arrest of three former senior PD officials and three former military officers. Into the vacuum created by the opposition’s inability to respond, Prime Minister Nano and American Ambassador Lino unexpectedly stepped in yesterday afternoon. In an interview given to VOA radio, Lino, the person who had been discussed for 48 hours straight in political circles as a supporter of the arrests and hard-line measures, expressed the opposite view. She stated that justice must not be influenced by politics; that the cycle of political revenge must be brought to an end in this country; and, finally, that the US and the OSCE are investigating the opposition’s allegations very seriously. Before the echo of her voice had even died away, Nano too made an unexpected move. In a statement on the arrest of all six, the Albanian Prime Minister and Socialist Party chairman immediately distanced himself from statements that made him responsible, adding that he had never influenced justice or the prosecution during this year. But in addition to this expected declaration, he added that neither investigations conducted years ago nor a thirst for justice were enough to bring this band of mafiosi to trial. On the contrary, he added that the prosecutors who issued the arrest warrant must have evidence resting on a solid basis and backed by strong arguments. Otherwise, the government’s number one warned, the arrest of these people would be another serious obstacle on the road to consolidating democracy, with consequences for the coalition government itself. It is hard to believe that an arrest on such a scale took place without Nano’s knowledge and, perhaps, his approval. But for reasons that are well known, and bearing Berisha’s precedent in mind, Nano has known how to distance himself from this affair. He too knows that proving the charge of crimes against humanity will be difficult, and that this is made even more difficult by the state of the Albanian justice system. Nano wants to remain in good standing with international opinion and with the political consensus here at home, and to convince them that he has left justice free to act. But if Nano did this for pragmatic and circumstantial reasons, the ball is now in the prosecution’s court. The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Visible section:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Continues:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Readable text that follows:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [In the printed text:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Reading corrected according to the lines:] [In the column:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Continuation:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Clear [The text continues here:] content:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Uncertain transcription of the line:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Actual visible [Continuation of prokurorisë”]. [Reading of the lines in the image:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [The visible line says:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Text that can be read:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [Note: the printed section reads:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [There is no such text; the exact visible content is:] The latter has put together [unclear: “kapafushën e prokurorisë”]. [To avoid errors, the readable line [It appears in the photo:] text e prokurorisë”]. [The part after this:] kan e kazanit ka zënë corbën e ngjarjeve të Marsit të të të [visible reading as it appears:] të [According to the lines in the photo:] të [Cannot be confirmed.]

Yesterday, National Council: They are imposing war on us P. 5 Yesterday, National Council: They are imposing war on us PD: With weapons against Nano P. 5

They leave their cells, but are expelled from Albania P. 7 They leave their cells, but are expelled from Albania Islamists leave P. 7

He wanted to preside over the trial on Nano’s innocence Judge resigns P. 6 The German MP who would reconcile Nano and Berisha No meeting between the rivals P. 6 They fire on beachgoers in Saranda; two wounded Greek ships open fire P. 9 Today and tomorrow on Radio “KOHA” Tonight and tomorrow, from 20:30 to 22:00, Radio “KOHA” will broadcast a live programme featuring listeners’ opinions on the arrest of six former senior PD officials. The programme will be hosted by Enkel Demi. Tel.: 28781, 28796

Page 2 Chief Prosecutor Arben Rakipi demonstrating the evidence to journalists yesterday Photo GENT SHKULLAKU Chief Prosecutor Arben Rakipi demonstrating the evidence to journalists yesterday. Photo GENT SHKULLAKU

The super-accused cannot be extradited Gazidede Found The former head of SHIK is in Syria, while Agim Shehu is in Germany The locations of the major individuals wanted by the prosecution in its investigation into the March unrest have been uncovered. Police sources citing Interpol data said yesterday that Agim Shehu is currently in Cologne, Germany, while Bashkim Gazidede is in a city in Syria. Meanwhile, the surprise comes from the prosecution. P. 7

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