A pre-infarction condition strikes the former communist leader ON PAGE 4

Vehbi Alimucaj does not recognize the results of the transparency process ON PAGE 5

The state is taking revenge on the protesters ON PAGE 4

PD urges the parties to shape their political positions. The governing coalition must stop obstructing The Democratic Party of Albania considers the visit to Tirana by the delegation of the Parliamentary Troika of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, headed by Ms. Leni Fisher, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and its package of recommendations, to be a commitment and support by Europe and the West as a whole for Albanian democracy. The Democratic Party believes that the package of recommendations from the European Parliamentary Troika is an important document for bringing the country out of the deep crisis it is experiencing because of the absence of the rule of law, resulting from the systematic violation of constitutional and institutional laws in Albania; the serious infringement of the independence of the judicial system as a result of political amendments to its laws; the blocking of institutions and reforms by massive government schemes; the failure to establish public order, which has tragically resulted in the deaths of more than 700 Albanians and the wounding of more than 2,000 others in recent months; and the employment in the police, government institutions and the intelligence service of murderers, robbers, and other violators of State Security, etc. The Democratic Party notes with satisfaction that the European Parliamentary Troika’s package contains a very important set of proposals for Albanian democracy. It sets out the obligations of all Albanian political forces to put the country back on track and overcome the crisis, including the PD’s participation in parliamentary life; guaranteeing the opposition’s rights in parliament; respecting parliamentary procedures and monitoring the Albanian parliament; consensus-based dialogue on the Constitution; establishing and guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary and resolving the conflict created between parliament and the Constitutional Court; implementing amendments and carrying out reform by confronting and resolving the crisis and restoring the responsibilities and duties of the relevant institutions and bodies; and removing from office former State Security officers, mafia members and incriminated individuals. The Democratic Party, determined to mobilize its positions on the European Troika’s package of recommendations, invites all Albanian political forces to shape their positions so that they are consistent with any package that serves to consolidate democracy in Albania. The Democratic Party notes with satisfaction that the package includes its assessment and commitment to implementing these shared proposals to guarantee the independence of the judiciary and uphold rights in parliament, as well as preserve the impartiality of the judiciary. The package also refers to the decisions of the Constitutional Court, implementation of amendments and reform by confronting and resolving the crisis and restoring the responsibilities and duties of the relevant institutions and bodies, as well as removing from office former State Security officers, mafia members and incriminated individuals.

Weapons of every caliber in the “Qemal Stafa” neighborhood Initial reports say one person was killed and several wounded One person was killed and several others were wounded last night in Elbasan, after a heavy exchange of gunfire that terrorized the “Qemal Stafa” neighborhood of the city for a long time. The incident took place last night at around 20:30, when for nearly an hour the neighborhood where Interior Minister Neritan Ceka had been a candidate was engulfed by gunfire from weapons of every caliber. One person was killed. Reports from Elbasan, which have not yet been properly confirmed, speak of a 30-year-old man killed and several wounded. According to sources at the scene, the fight in the “Qemal Stafa” neighborhood was related to old scores being settled between two rival gangs in the city of Namazgja. Eyewitnesses said that the stretch of road leading from the Old Sports Ground to the House of Culture, where there has been no electricity for two days, was lit up by muzzle flashes. Gunshots and bursts of gunfire were also heard last night at the intersection of the city of Elbasan and the national highway, and along the road leading to Cërmic. Various family members expressed by telephone their unprecedented horror at the gunfire caused by the gangs’ clashes in their city. J. JARANI

Tirana Kavajë Fier Photos: Albes Fusha The eight jurists on the 21st day of the hunger strike, as well as former political persecuted people in Tirana, Kavajë and Fier. Photos: Albes Fusha

The Center for Democracy supports the independence of the judiciary in Albania Allen Weinstein writes to the court’s president, Avni Shehu The Court of Cassation received a message of support last week from Allen Weinstein, President of the Center for Democracy in the United States of America. The court’s president, Avni Shehu, received a letter from Mr. Weinstein stating that the Center for Democracy “is very impressed” by his efforts to develop an independent judiciary and the rule of law in Albania. Mr. Weinstein also expressed his willingness to cooperate and develop joint programs for the independence of the judiciary in Albania. ON PAGE 3

The government must overcome its nervousness and meet its obligations PD is determined to reconsider its position in parliament and engage in a fruitful dialogue on the Constitution ON PAGE 3

Vehbi Velija sponsors the editorials of “Koha Jonë” Pro-government articles in exchange for VEVE Grup’s cigarette smuggling ON PAGE 3

Judges close the doors on the hunger strike: “We are sacrificing ourselves for the independence of the justice system.” The health of the jurists and former political persecuted continues to deteriorate

All journalists are hereby informed that on 27 January at 11:00, the Youth Forum of the “Union for Democracy” party and the Youth Forum of Balli Kombëtar will hold a press conference at the venue of the association of former political persecuted people.

The police officers’ composure The spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior reports that yesterday at midday Minister Ceka summoned the commander of the police squad at the Court of First Instance and congratulated them, on behalf of the government, for the composure they maintained during the incident a few hours earlier, when the two sides in a court case clashed with each other using fists and objects at hand. The police, demonstrating composure, intervened to break up the brawl and did not allow outsiders to intervene in their fight. Indeed, the police took neither side in this clash inside the courthouse, but correctly took those responsible from both sides and took them to hospital. With this act, Minister Ceka stressed, the police have shown that they are depoliticized and do not interfere indiscriminately, as the opposition accuses them of doing. This composure continues to characterize our police even when they are “with their feet in the air” or “with bayduje.” Let it be true that they do not want to kill Albanians.