The missing file uncovered in Tirana. Five Yugoslavs in Shkodër for 7 days. They left on the day of the event A copy of the file had been blown up at the Shkodër court during the unrest. Prosecutor’s Office: We will reopen the case Page 3

With the change of power following the 29 June elections, among other things, public opinion also awaited with great interest the review of a series of trials and high-profile scandals, whose investigation under the DP government left much room for suspicion. Thus, starting with the proceedings concerning the events of 2 April, the “Arsidi” scandal, “Revenge for Justice,” the “Nano” case, etc., these represent cases over which suspicions of politicization hang. Indeed, in the high-profile cases investigated by the justice system over these years, it has always been Berisha’s political opponents who suffered, while his associates got off “without getting wet.” For this reason, the demand to review a good number of the above cases is natural. In fact, some people want to clear a stain placed on them unjustly; others simply want to learn the truth, not to mention the most important thing: restoring justice. In this way, the signal for a review of important events was given yesterday by the Prosecutor General’s Office, announcing that the 2 April case would be reinvestigated. However, the legitimate desire to revisit high-profile cases contrasts with several other factors, as a result of which it would be no surprise if, after a few years, people were once again talking about another review of them. First of all, the tense political situation would once again create the impression that the reinvestigation of these events had been organized for political motives. This is certainly also because politicians from different parties are protagonists in them. The opposition’s reactions to the latest announcements of the “Bezhani” commission serve as a warning in this regard. On the other hand, the justice system is completely occupied with current cases, and there are many of them. Consequently, its people cannot abandon these cases to return to those concerning the past. But the main point is that, under the current circumstances, the Albanian justice system does not have the capacity to conduct a proper investigation into proceedings that have remained entangled with politics throughout all these years. First of all, the justice institutions are in the initial phase of their reorganization. Thus, at this moment, new structures are being established within the Albanian justice system, such as those tasked with fighting organized crime and serious trafficking. The justice institutions are also facing the difficult challenge of freeing themselves from the clutches of political power, which has in practice turned the justice system into its organic appendage. Perhaps only after this can a genuine reinvestigation of those cases begin.

During last March’s unrest in the city of Vlora Photo REUTERS During last March’s unrest in the city of Vlora. Photo REUTERS

Ceka: “It is being done with the aim of driving them out.” The Ministry opens files on all attacks against foreigners. “They are connected to one another” Prosecutor Rakipi: We will gather the murders into one file “Organized crime aims to drive foreign investors out of our country” — this is the conclusion of Interior Minister Nertian Ceka, made just two days after the murder of an Italian entrepreneur in Tirana, though without saying why this is being done. Meanwhile, the head of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Arben Rakipi, says that “very soon a separate file will be created containing all cases of criminal attacks against foreign investors in Albania.” P. 6

Two Democrats at a cocktail party. Berisha avoids Meidani Bajrami brings Albanian politicians together P. 3 Telephone conversation between Nano and the Italian Prime Minister Investors bring Prodi to Tirana P. 4 Hajdari and Xhaferi meet the NATO delegation The DP begins its parliamentary life P. 5 The gang accused of the March events arrested in three hours Operation in Vlora, 9 arrested P. 8 The Prosecutor’s Office returns to the disappearance of 10 kilograms Where did the red mercury disappear? P. 7 The state opens its purse for blue uniforms Police officers’ salaries rise by 80 percent P. 2 Alimucaj responds to Ellis’s statements VEFA: We have money for creditors P. 12