At the 4th conference, the women of the PD call for their leader. Preparations begin The outraged city is in turmoil. Dozens of petitions against the visit . Page 2

With Alimucaj put behind bars, it can be said that the state has taken another important step toward winning its challenge against the boss of the pyramid schemes , who, among all the heads of the usury firms, was the only one who refused to surrender. This entire year-long period, beginning with the establishment of the government’s staff, has been an ongoing duel between the state, which, in cooperation with international institutions, sought to implement plans aimed at returning the citizens’ deposits in the pyramid companies to the “maximum recoverable” amount, and the “stubborn” bosses. However, the timing and manner of the arrest of the boss of “VEFA Holding” leave [??] room for various hypotheses, and even suspicions. It is known that some of the pyramid-scheme bosses were arrested in a flash more than a year ago, while Alimuçaj and the other four “dragons” were left free without any restrictions. Perhaps this was the main reason for the disappearance of the “lion’s share” of the companies’ bank deposits, which were subjected to the transparency process. Nevertheless, the charge used to arrest Sude, Xhaferri or Driza—“fraud involving large sums”—would normally have applied to the other bosses as well. Specifically, Alimuçaj’s arrest two days ago was also justified by this same charge. Moreover, given that senior Albanian officials had long been declaring that Alimuçaj’s holding’s assets amounted to no more than a few buildings facing a mountain of debts to creditors, while he continued his series of scams, this charge could have been brought long ago. From this perspective, we would have seen “phantom” creditors’ committees, the creation of boards, foreign partners ready to “repay the company’s debt,” protests or hunger strikes. Not infrequently, his release was also explained by a statement from the boss, who had become a legend, according to which he had “with few exceptions, all the politicians in my pocket, all the politicians in my pocket.” Perhaps now, for some people—especially the creditors who had pinned their hopes on him—this can be presented unfairly as an attempt to save the “honor” of today’s government officials who may be in VEFA’s “pocket.” On the other hand, it cannot be ruled out that the arrest will serve as a means of pressure, so that Alimuçaj, in addition to revealing where the money is, will disclose his secret ties to the former regime, during whose period he built his pyramid-scheme empire. In any case, the treatment of the other bosses and the ability to repay the creditors will show whether the state can bring the pyramid schemes under control.

The delegation from the northern city holds heated debates with Majko P. 3

Rome, the Contact Group concerned about Kosovo P. 5 Hasani begins negotiations on bringing the PKSH into the coalition The Communists: We too in government P. 4 Devoll: the bandits all come from Laç The refugees’ terror is caught P. 9 Mjekës: 100 workers demand wages and contracts Arms factory on strike P. 10 Kukës: accusation against the mayor. Letter to Meidani Dynamite at the judge’s office P. 6 Disagreement with Apostoli over tenders Roads director resigns P. 6

Prime Minister Nano in parliament yesterday to defend the ministerial changes Photo: A.Rama Page 3 Prime Minister Nano in parliament yesterday to defend the ministerial changes — Photo: A.Rama

Tens in cells. Associates, millions of dollars in banks. They belonged to the creditors. Protest at the Prosecutor’s Office: Free Vehbiun Everything about the secret operation to put Alimuçaj behind bars According to investigators, fear that his not-insignificant assets would be confiscated forced him to distribute the money in the names of seven people closest to him. This concerns a sum of more than 140 million dollars, which was held in bank accounts not in the name of Vehbi Alimuçaj anymore, but in the names of people, now arrested, who had no connection with the creditors. P. 7