The request to lift his immunity arrives in Parliament; MPs vote today Prosecutor: “He was at the head of the armed group” Page 2

BY SOKOL BALLA Yesterday, on official television, Chief Prosecutor Arben Rakipi announced his institution’s request to the Albanian Parliament to lift MP Azem Hajdari’s immunity. In a way, this resolved the mystery that had prevailed in the media and public opinion about the fate of the “disobedient” MP and his super-escort of more than 14 years. In fact, no one doubted that such a thing had to happen, but the question was when. This is not the first time Azem Hajdari’s immunity has been lifted, since the Berisha parliament had decided to do so for him about five years ago. But while everything was settled in a few hours back then, reopening an immunity—which Hajdari had meanwhile himself refused—required the Prosecutor General to hold a closed round of meetings, beginning with Nano and continuing with Meidani. It is also said that Nano himself had come to that meeting after a one-on-one conversation with one of the leading diplomats in Tirana. But today, what everyone seems to think is that once again politics has prevailed over the structures of the justice system. The “Hajdari” process, like those before it, runs the risk of ultimately turning into a political trial. Everything would have been different if, starting Monday, the detainees had been able to argue against their detention measures, and Rakipi’s request had reached the judge on Tuesday rather than Wednesday, which is when it would have happened under normal procedure and according to reason. In that way, the primary purpose of the Prosecutor’s Office would have been served: to investigate the truth, and only the truth, about the Milot incident. Even if Rakipi had this good purpose in mind, after meeting with the country’s leading figures he was wrong; if he did not uncover it, at the very least he prejudged the independence of the Prosecutor’s Office. In his position of authority and standing, the future fate of Azem Hajdari also seems to have been decided. In any event, there is a great risk that the outcome of this process will not be credible. If Hajdari is declared innocent, the PS base—which seems to be ... and did not ... the prosecutor’s decision—will be dissatisfied; and if he is convicted, dissatisfaction with the leader will erupt and ... Meanwhile, the opposition will ... (the rest of the text is partly illegible)

More news from the “Bezhani Front” During peacekeeping troops’ maneuvers in Bizë. Photo: GENT SHKULLAKU

Gjinushi: Justice agent to appear before MPs. Ceka: Several officers in the ministry have not been vetted More news from the “Bezhani Front” Three spies on Television Gjinushi: Justice agent to appear before MPs. Ceka: Several officers in the ministry have not been vetted The chairman of the Commission for the Verification of Figures, Bezhani, rejects as untrue the spread of the news, and especially the claim that it originated from ATSH. “In my view, the misunderstandings and the treatment given yesterday in the press, which used ATSH as its source, seem unfair and highly tendentious,” the lawyer concluded, asking the media not to distort his words, much less the work of the commission he chairs. P. 24

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With 185 votes in favor, the Senate gives the “OK” Sazani in Italian hands P. 4

NATO and Italian intelligence services confirm UDB had a hand in the unrest P. 7

After the ruling on the security measure for the group of 14 The Prosecutor’s Office opposes the court P. 6

Gorrica “claims” more heads Korçë, the chief customs officer is also gone P. 9

Law on private radio and television approved; government excluded Parliament allocates frequencies P. 5