The Minister of Public Order in Kuçovë harshly accuses his predecessors of involvement in trafficking “Agron Musarai skillfully organized the mafia network” The Minister of Public Order in Kuçovë harshly accuses his predecessors of involvement in trafficking Poçi: Former minister trafficked drugs and women “Agron Musarai skillfully organized the mafia network” page 11

GAVROSH LEVONJA Meta’s recent steps in the fight against corruption, regardless of how they may be interpreted, deserve support. The truth is that, in a way, the blows dealt to particular individuals who, following the opposition’s logic, belong to certain clans within the governing team, also in a way benefit the opposition itself. The intensification of the struggle between the various clans in the socialist camp and their allies means, at the very least, that the opponents will intensify the publication of compromising facts and evidence against one another, which will naturally be exploited by the propaganda of the PD and the other opposition parties. Let us consider for a moment how the ministers dismissed most recently have reacted. Meta’s tendency to bring members of his cabinet before the law, thus breaking with the practices of the past, when no one gave a thought to officials who had been dismissed or “relieved of duty,” should normally also be encouraged by the opposition. At the very least, this would expose the falsity of the government’s “anti-corruption” slogans. For these reasons, in its efforts to keep the baton of the anti-corruption crusade in its own hands, the opposition should not only encourage Meta and various sections of the administration to conduct anti-corruption campaigns, but should also demand amendments to the legislation to toughen penalties for officials identified as corrupt or involved in smuggling. Thus, for example, while making a fuss about various cases of corruption and smuggling, as well as the tendency of senior officials to monopolize various profitable businesses, the PD and Berisha are not calling for the introduction of strict punitive laws against them. Some time ago, there was talk of introducing a law under which the assets of officials involved in smuggling would be confiscated, but in fact it remained nothing more than talk, eventually to be forgotten with the passage of time. If the PD were to call for the adoption of such a law or a similar one, it could interpret any refusal or hesitation by the left-wing majority in parliament regarding it as evidence of the idea that left-wing MPs and officials could not support a law that would put at risk their assets, acquired in such a way; such a law would be illegal. On the other hand, such a law would also put Prime Minister Meta’s sincerity in fighting corruption to the test. Ultimately, such exemplary penalties would redound to the honor and interest of the government itself, rather than waiting for Berisha’s bulldozer and road grader to arrive.

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The “extreme” measure taken by the state: They have only been fired The head of the criminal police in Pogradec and four customs officers at the Qafë-Thanë border crossing have been relieved of their duties. “They are involved in the smuggling of goods, and relieving them of their duties was the most appropriate measure”: this was the version presented to the press yesterday by officials of the Ministry of Public Order regarding the dismissal of the head of the criminal police in this city. The passage of two vans carrying clothing—smuggled goods—through Qafë-Thanë customs two days ago led to the dismissal of the department chief and four customs officers. Meanwhile, there was talk that the accused men would face criminal prosecution. But that did not happen. The ministry has no evidence with which to face the prosecution. Meanwhile, the latter has not taken action in the specific incident. Page 8

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