EXCLUSIVE/ Sokol Gjoni reports the incident that occurred a week ago “ALDO BARE WAS POISONED IN PRISON” Nephew speaks: They slipped it in when he was out in the yard Witness statements and laboratory analyses are published for the convict: “Toxic substance in food” Aldo Bare’s appeal: “I want to be treated.” The director of 313 and the prosecutor: “He is very well” In the photo: Aldo Bare at the moment of extradition from Turkey and a facsimile of the medical analyses

FIVE ARRESTS ► Page 4 1.7 tons of marijuana seized bound for Italy, US State Department: You are a transit country

VIDEO ► Page 8 Dritan Prifti: Those who denounce corruption are being punished

Aldo Bare’s family is raising the alarm, claiming that their man, who is being held in isolation in prison 313, may very well have been poisoned by employees of that prison. Aldo’s nephew, Sokol Gjoni, says that blood tests have found substances from toxic compounds of the organophosphate type. ■■■ TIRANE Elton Qyno Doubts cast a shadow over Aldo Bare’s health condition. Considered by the prosecutor’s office to be the leader of the Lushnjë gang, Aldo Bare, alias Alfred Shkurti, has suffered disturbances in his body for four days, claiming that he has been poisoned with toxic substances. According to members of Aldo Bare’s family circle, analyses carried out have shown that in blood samples taken a few hours later from prison 313, where Aldo Bare is being held in isolation, traces of organophosphate toxins were found... ► Continues on pages 6-7

INTERVIEW WITH THE US AMBASSADOR “A tired government, we are looking for partners” Aleksandër Arvizu’s rebuke of governance, the government’s behavior and the solutions the country needs ■■■ TIRANE The US ambassador in Tirana, Aleksandër Arvizu, said that this government is tired because international partners are looking for new partners. He assesses that corruption is increasing in Albania, that there has been election manipulation, and that the country suffers from a culture of impunity... ► Pages 2-3

Editorial BY ANILA BASHA Three women journalists with the titles they deserve For the first time in the 100-year history of the Albanian state, three women journalists received a decoration yesterday from President of the Republic Bamir Topi. Three ladies who have given so much in the field of journalism, but have never been valued enough for the great work and contribution they have made to Albanians, and to the whole world in this profession. On the proposal of the Nermin Vlora Falaschi association, President Topi, on March 8, posthumously decorated Nexhmie Zaimi with the order “Nënë Tereza”, a very well-known and respected journalist in the USA, completely unknown in Albania. A lady who worked at Voice of America and at CNN, but about whom nothing was ever said during the dictatorship or after it. An important title was given to Abile Xhaja, one of the earliest journalists in liberated Albania after the Second World War. At an advanced age (over 80), she climbed the steps of the Presidency yesterday to receive from the head of state the order “Naim Frashëri” i Artë. Trembling with emotion, greater than when in 1945 she began broadcasting the news on Radio Shkodra by saying “You are listening to Radio Shkodra”, and later in Russia, in the Albanian-language section, delivering the news “This is Moscow speaking”, for many pensioners,... many friends and family members of the three honored women journalists who were decorated yesterday by the President of the Republic, but very few colleagues, were in the hall of the Presidency... ► Continues on page 10

REPORT ► Page 5 USA: Albania, a “laundromat” for dirty money

Zamira Koleci: The strength yoga gave me • Day of Summer, escape for pleasure and bollokume • Toledo, a guide with Genc Përmeti ► Pages 13-20

Zaimi: The Security service wanted to turn my aunt into an agent ► Pages 10-11

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