Berisha’s regime seeks to “cover up” crime with crime So far, more than 500 have been arrested throughout the country

Round table of political parties for the students killed in the country’s fortress The parties PBD, PBD, PBL, Lë. PS, PPD, PAV, PD support the proposal to gather from their offices, at 12 noon in the capital, as a sign of protest, and to hold meetings with the students and the people. In this context, before yesterday’s challenge to the student demonstration, a massive petition from the student youth was presented in all offices. The forum also confirms these parties: 1- The rights of the Government 2- The creation of a technical government with support from parliament. 3- The re-establishment of a commission for determining the assets of President Berisha, his family and his collaborators. 4- The re-establishment of a commission to improve the electoral law and prepare early elections. 5- Defining the procedure for drafting the future constitution through a referendum. 6- The re-establishment of the economic norm in order to give these student and youth political forces a contribution to protection. The parties of the Democratic Forum: 1. Democratic Unity Party 2. Democratic Alliance Party 3. National Front Party 4. Republican Party of Albania 5. Social Democratic Party 6. Democratic Movement Party 7. Democratic Rights Party 8. Association of Politically Persecuted People

Editorial Club policy A wave of arrests has broken out across the country. Various sources from Western embassies speak of more than 500 people arrested by the police. Most of them are people who in recent days were seen taking part in rallies and student strikes. Meanwhile, suspicious individuals, both in uniform and out of uniform, have taken part in brutal police actions, terrorizing citizens. In many cases police operations were carried out at night, entering homes without warrants, using violence and kidnapping people without any legal procedure. This situation has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in the country. The government tries to justify this campaign with political accusations against the opposition and with claims of “maintaining order”, but the facts show a brutal use of state force against political opponents. If this wave of repression continues, the consequences for the country’s political and social life will be very serious.

News from the Vlorë Internal Branch : Handcuffs for the head of the PS in Vlorë, Eduart Alushi Page 3

Statement addressed to the media Page 5

Come with us to the rally that will be held today in front of “Selman Stërmasi” stadium, at 11:00. On Wednesday, to witness the establishment of true democracy in Albania! Friends and friendly and corrupt NGO people[?]! Gather today to condemn the anti-democratic acts against the democratic Right, the Republican Party, the Balli Kombëtar Party, the Democratic Unity Party and others. Demokratia-Tiranë dt 29.01.1997

“Zëri i popullit” reported that, after the threats made to the journalists who had been detained and threatened, it was believed that the “arrested” would be taken to prison to be sentenced. After they were taken in, a number of documents were confiscated. Our colleagues in Korçë, Ta[s?]daskupr? Fatmir e Kotej? Lorik Madhi[?] were questioned. In the end they were released. Our colleague Mubarrem Meko, who had not done anything in particular, was detained and taken to the city Polyclinic. Later, in the premises of the police commissariat, he was held until the early hours of the morning. Our headquarters in the city center was searched. Throughout yesterday he was followed and surveilled by the police forces. No notice was given of any detention of our colleague, while his name was kept secret. He was released only after intervention by journalism organizations and colleagues. Korçë, 29.01.1997

(ROJTER) Together with the police and “civilians”, ministry assistants in the affected towns[?]