Judges across the country stand in solidarity with the jurists’ strike 425 jurists are mobilized by the Free Colleges held their legal session for one hour. The strike will encompass the entire justice system. The international community does not tolerate state interference in justice The non-governance of the government Today the justice system has given the first signal of a revolt against the government. The judges are not entering the courtrooms. Since this morning, justice has been moving into a new phase, which may halt its activity until legal guarantees for its independence are established. For the first time, the judicial system has taken an active stance and is trying to create a space of independence in conditions where it is threatened by political power. To this day, everything in Albania remains tied to the backdrop of a government that does not trust the rule of law. This government has turned the parliamentary majority into an instrument of political violence and is trying to do the same with the judiciary. If judges today refuse to enter the courtrooms, this is a clear sign that the crisis has entered a new stage. The jurists’ strike is a direct challenge to the government’s efforts to subdue the justice system. This movement shows that the crisis cannot be resolved by violating the constitution and the law. On the contrary, every government intervention in independent institutions only deepens the conflict. In this sense, the response of the justice system has value not only professionally, but also civically. The international community cannot remain indifferent in the face of this situation. Albania is under observation and any signal of undermining judicial independence seriously damages the country’s image. For this reason, the main responsibility falls on the government, which must withdraw from any practice of pressure and restore a climate of institutional respect. Yesterday, strike at the Tirana court

The state continues to discuss what measures to take while villagers denounce a catastrophe. In government Albania, the economy is also sinking; the president scans the screen every day for... meeting ON PAGE 5

United States police, close to drugs and prostitution The villa of the 4 arrested emigrants had been turned into a center of orgies, where high-ranking officials were brought in Yesterday, strike at the Tirana court A very dramatic scene ended with the seizure of a large quantity of cocaine and the arrest of several Albanian emigrants in the United States. According to the first reports, this involved about 150 kilograms of narcotics, while the police has expanded the investigation to prostitution networks and possible links with political figures. Sources said the villa of the arrested men had been used as a base for illegal activities, where meetings and orgies were organized, and where people holding high positions came and went. The news made a huge splash in the day’s press because of the scale of the scandal and its possible political implications. The investigation continues and there is still no final version regarding the full extent of the network. However, the arrests and seizures already carried out are considered a strong blow against drug trafficking and organized forms of crime.

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The Secretary General of EDU, Aleksis Vininoflak: Europe does not allow the beating and imprisonment of judges Secretary General of EDU, Aleksis Vininoflak: Nano government, anti-law government “The elections of 29 June were not free and fair. Further steps toward democracy must be taken” ON PAGE 3

Nano government, anti-law government ON PAGE 3

Smuggling because of the interests of Vano and Mali Behind the noise, double meanings, and tickets, the names post of the General Chairman of Customs ON PAGE 3

Unification for Democracy condemns the violence against jurists ON PAGE 3

On Saturday, 27 December 1997, at 12:00 Rally, great concert in “Skënderbej” Square Featuring the country's best artists “UNIFICATION FOR DEMOCRACY”