28/08/1999
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Zëri i Popullit

28 August 1999

THE COURT HEARS THE TESTIMONY OF META AND MILO

coup and politics Overturning the narrative in the September 14 case: here is how the state was attacked and institutions were set on fire THE COURT HEARS THE TESTIMONY OF META AND MILO Deputy Prime Minister Meta and Minister Milo: Yes, it was a coup PAGE 3

Phones in support of crime—their turn is coming

abc A major anti-crime offensive is spreading across the country. Day and night, hundreds of special forces from the Ministry of the Interior are striking the “gangs” and “crime clans,” backed by dozens of hands on the inside that, for a long time, did not tremble when they fired weapons and poured bullets on rivals or innocent people. The “punishment” is continuing, with even greater severity against the barbaric people of crime. Ordinary people are gradually bringing out, from the corners of their souls where fear and insecurity had overwhelmed them, their trust in the police. police. Every forceful police action against crime is drawing them toward popular support for this fight. 48 hours ago, the police showed that even kidnappings for extortion, long forgotten and unpunished, are punished—and harshly. Meanwhile, entire cities in the North, long shocked by crime, unlike the more normal part of the country, seem now to be making out the words: The law has returned to the city. This is happening in Tropojë; this is happening in Burrel. What has happened? They are the same 16,000 police officers who were there 100 days ago. But their motivation has changed. Not a single extra penny has been added, but the work ethic and sense of duty to protect citizens’ lives and property have been stirred. They are the same special forces, but now they leave the gates of their barracks, not the doors of Tirana’s businesses or bingo halls, where they had become special guards. Not an extra penny has been added for them either, but their workload has increased. Yes, the minister has changed, offering his 16,000 police officers more courage, more security, more confidence, more responsibility. Ultimately, he has offered a firm resolve to fight crime, to strike—and even kill—any criminal who threatens the life of any individual, even if protected by a party membership card. This atmosphere of change that inspires confidence can be felt everywhere. People no longer need “marathons...,” but swift, effective, forceful, perhaps painful, action against crime. People no longer need moralizing, even if it is the morality of a campaign that frightens no one and merely brings before people’s eyes the hysteria needed to feel like a barbarian. People no longer need vote-seeking initiatives, even referendums, whose result would simply give political motivation to certain people like “Mediu” or “others”—whose account, even in a lowered voice, would frighten any priest in the world. To gather solidarity for these people, even for their initiatives, means beginning the punishment with the force of that solidarity, and precisely with them. But there is one person who needs this anti-crime solidarity. His name is Spartak Poçi, and he is the Minister of the Interior. He needs a shoulder. My shoulder, your shoulder, everyone’s shoulder. So that he can feel that beside him or behind him are people determined to support him in his fight against those facing him: the criminals. He needs these shoulders in order to strike now at the “political protectors” who, for their own personal gain, want to undo everything achieved in these 100 days. Those who keep making phone calls, pleading or even threatening, to get prison friends and bandit relatives released should know that their turn is approaching.

The Albanian Helsinki Committee opposes the death penalty

Some political forces have raised their voices louder and are insisting on returning to the enforcement of capital punishment. Lately, this is taking on almost the proportions of a campaign. Within this campaign, the idea put forward of holding a referendum stands out, through which the people themselves would give their decision. The AHC objects to the referendum formula, saying that it conflicts with the Constitution. PAGE 10

Is immunity being violated?!

By Niazi Jaho Is immunity being violated?! PAGE 10

The people with the explosives are caught

ZËRI NEWS The people with the explosives are caught PAGE 2

Berisha gave crime immunity

PAGE 16

Money is paid in full, little work gets done

PAGES 6–7

School starts on September 20

PAGE 9

40 of our police officers like Americans

PAGE 2

TOMORROW: THE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION TEST

Tomorrow, together with “Zëri i Popullit,” the test for the higher-school entrance examination .