Zef Brozi and the Nano case Prejudice, the favorability in the sense that the political class gives to these terms, is perhaps a kind of failed maneuver to calm the public of consumers fed by the current press posters. Opposition in public opinion and in the media is a sign of failure, for which there is no need either to repent or to suffer the sin of meanness. Especially when editorials can offer more explanation than reality. For example, the editorial of “Rilindja Demokratike”, based on several contradictory claims and entirely inaccurate interpretations regarding Nano’s trial, has served once again to remind us of the propaganda apparatus of persecution of the branch of the Prosecution and the Court of Cassation, in the pursuit used against Mr. Nano. The words and especially the behavior of the President of the Court of Cassation have given rise to an unacceptable array of violations and abuses worthy of other times. Where does justice stand in this situation? It appears to take the form not of an institution, but of a person who appears in public with the poses of a moral arbiter. Instead of legal clarification, emotional positions are served, labels, political charge, and an evident desire to create public truths outside the courtroom. This makes every statement even more serious. Part of Mr. Brozi’s positions seem like an attempt to manufacture political legitimacy in the name of justice. But justice can be neither rhetoric nor decoration. When a criminal case is handled in this way, every hasty word turns into prejudice, every insinuation into pressure, and every public appearance into pressure on the judgment. It is not the first time that high figures of the justice system confuse institutional role with political protagonism. This distances the court from the citizen and brings it closer to the conflict of the day. In a country where trust in the law has still not been consolidated, these gestures serve fear more than order. From the way the Nano case has been discussed, it emerges that the objective has not only been legal interpretation, but also the construction of a public climate in which the accused must be seen in advance as guilty. This goes against the principle of the presumption of innocence and against the need for justice to issue decisions, not perform roles. Likewise, tones inappropriate for a court president are noticeable: irony, insinuations, moral divisions between the parties, and a way of speaking that resembles a political accusation. Justice does not need angels, but law. And the law is not enforced with poses. In the end, angelic poses of justice do not suit a gangster. Because the more the speaker’s moral innocence is proclaimed, the more visible becomes the biased role he is playing in public opinion. (continued from page 4)

The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, supported by the law on cultural monuments, decided to erect the memorial dedicated to the events of 2 April in the city of Shkodër, as well as to erect a commemorative monument named “Democratic Movement” in the city of Kavajë. This decision aims to honor the memory of the victims and the participants in the civic movements that marked the beginnings of political pluralism and resistance against the communist regime. The projects will be implemented by the relevant bodies in cooperation with local government and cultural institutions. (continued on page 2)

Statement by the Ministry of Justice regarding objections to the inspection carried out in the bailiff’s office of the Tirana district Attempts to present the exercise of an administrative inspection in a state office, such as the bailiff’s office in Tirana, as a “political attack” are a clear indication that part of the justice administration continues to defend privileges and arbitrariness. The inspection carried out on 20 October 1993 in the offices of the Tirana bailiff service aimed to verify compliance with the law and discipline in carrying out duties, not to exert pressure on any official. The checks carried out showed that in a not insignificant number of cases final court decisions had not been executed within the deadlines and that for several files the full procedural documentation was missing. Delays, registration violations, as well as practices contrary to the requirements of the rule of law were also found. In these circumstances, the response of the Ministry of Justice is not only lawful, but necessary. It cannot be accepted that any body of the justice system should function as a closed territory where lawful oversight is presented as political interference. If there is dissatisfaction with the results of the inspection, the path is institutional clarification and not public alarm. The Ministry of Justice reiterates that its goal remains the strengthening of the enforcement of court decisions and the guarantee of service to citizens. No one can stand above the law, and no one is allowed to obstruct the exercise of administrative oversight. (continued on page 2)

For a long time over the offense of abuse of office, but the deputy prosecutor says it may become the criminal offense of theft In the criminal proceedings against the head of the municipality of Selenicë, the investigative authorities have ordered house arrest, while elements of abuse of office and suspicions of other unlawful actions are being examined against him. According to the published information, the case is related to the administration of several assets and to decisions that are suspected of having caused economic damage. The deputy prosecutor has indicated that, depending on the evidence, the case could also be legally qualified as theft. Residents of the area and local representatives have followed the development closely, seeing it as a test of the seriousness of the justice authorities in dealing with local officials. (continued on page 4)

Yesterday in Parliament a draft law was presented concerning the extension of the deadline for non-confiscation of land of former owners, an issue that has sparked many debates and varied reactions. According to the discussions, the initiative aims to create additional space for examining problematic cases and for handling pending complaints. In the plenary session it was emphasized that the solution must be in accordance with the principles of the rule of law and with the public interest. Some deputies raised the concern that dragging out the process could create new injustices, while others saw it as a temporary administrative necessity. (continued on page 2)

today PDSH leaders’ press conference Today at 12:00 at the International Center of Culture, Tirana, the secretary-general of PDSH, Dr. Ferdinand Xhaferi, and members of the party leadership will inform those present and the press about several positions of PDSH.

Dibër support the freedom of the association of the persecuted, Kubin page 2 The opposition of the Albanian army page 2 For politics to be moral page 2 Tragedy in Horuzh of Tirana, our poet, never to the Liburnian FAON'S page 2 From the encyclical of the government the miners’ decision to erect the memorial of 2 April in Shkodër and the commemorative monument “Democratic Movement” in Kavajë page 2 From the meeting of the leadership of the associates of those persecuted by the communist regime of Albania Panorama page 2 Albanian The brother of Agim Ramadani killed page 2 Albanian Two draft laws concerning the situation of misery in Albania are being examined page 4 The lakes in Bulgaria page 4