Scandal in court yesterday: former minister summoned as a witness and ends up in a cell After 8 hours in custody, Chief Prosecutor Rakipi signs his release pages 2, 3, 4 Scandal in court yesterday: former minister summoned as a witness and ends up in a cell ‘Teta in handcuffs: The socialists arrested me After 8 hours in custody, Chief Prosecutor Rakipi signs his release pages 2, 3, 4

The sensational arrest yesterday of the well-known politician Perikli Teta

Former Vlora gang boss opens a construction company! Zani: I’m building a beach for nudists too — page 11 IMF chief in Tirana yesterday: Fight corruption, smuggling and crime — page 19 Elbasan, police arrest four FARK soldiers with 2 machine guns and 3 crates of ammunition — page 11

The sensational arrest yesterday of the well-known politician Perikli Teta and his release within a few hours was another case that exposed the lack of responsibility and seriousness in the structures of today’s Albanian state, and especially in the justice system in this particular case. … well-known politician Perikli Teta and his release within a few hours was another case that exposed the lack of responsibility and seriousness in the structures of today’s Albanian state, and especially in the justice system in this particular case. Yesterday’s tragicomic episode at the Tirana Court originated with one of the most junior officials in our justice system, which must undergo radical reform. Specifically, citizen Perikli Teta refused to testify before a panel of judges that, contrary to the rules governing court proceedings, was not wearing black robes. At first, the representative of the prosecution might perhaps have been praised for taking action against a politician, a former minister who committed a “legal violation,” treating him like everyone else. This is because in Albania it has become fashionable for guilty politicians to hide behind the mantle of politics, giving every measure taken against them a political character. But if this prosecutor had been faithful to the law, as he sought to demonstrate by ordering Mr. Teta to be handcuffed, before going that far he should first have requested that the proceedings be suspended, at least because of the defect identified by the ordinary citizen Teta—that is, the failure to wear black robes. But, of course, accustomed as they are to one another’s violations and irregularities, those in the justice system did not pause for even a moment to consider this aspect. Secondly, before punishing Teta’s refusal to testify, the prosecutor should at least have issued a warrant to bring forcibly to court those witnesses, even “VIPs,” who ignore the court panel’s summonses and do not appear to testify at all. The “strictness” shown toward Perikli Teta by the prosecutor yesterday seems utterly ridiculous, considering the generosity of prosecutors and the polite formulas they do not hesitate to extend to criminals. If Albanian prosecutors and judges were truly this orderly and pedantic in applying the law, ordinary criminals would not be roaming freely through the streets of our cities, continuing to pose a serious threat to Albanian citizens. Finally, the release of politician Teta within just a few hours was another sobering revelation for the class of people currently at the head of the Albanian justice system, exposing its total lack of independence. This is because, while he was arrested as an ordinary citizen, Teta’s release undoubtedly came about because he is a well-known politician. The letter issued last night by Prosecutor General Rakipi for his release indirectly confirms this. So, however you look at Teta’s arrest adventure, justice is always on Teta’s side, while the justice system remains accused.

In Librazhd, Pogradec and Korçë, rains destroy dozens of homes, bridges and hundreds of hectares planted with grain; hundreds of livestock drown. Damage in Librazhd alone is around 1 million dollars The fierce wrath of the weather in midsummer In Librazhd, Pogradec and Korçë, rains destroy dozens of homes, bridges and hundreds of hectares planted with grain; hundreds of livestock drown. Damage in Librazhd alone is around 1 million dollars page 9