Yesterday, in Shkodër, we paid a very heavy price to crime: the life of Colonel Arben Zylyftari. For three years, we have been paying crime— the state with the endless lives of police officers, society with the endless lives of ordinary people—all taken by a handful of criminals who are still out of prison, ever since former criminal president Sali Berisha released them by decree in ’97. This is the noose Berisha has left hanging; this is the promise to freeze our smiles. For three years we have continued to deal with it, but each on our own: the state fighting crime; citizens and society cursing and condemning Berisha for what he did to them, but also making the cynical claim, often in the form of: “What did the police do, what are they doing?!!”. This is how we behave and what we do every day. But, unfortunately, we are divided in our shared objective: the fight against crime and against the man who inspires it every day—from killing us with the people he pardoned to making our lives miserable with crooked utility poles that cut off our electricity. And so, divided, one side fighting and the other sometimes coming out to applaud the fight, we continue on, dreading the next attack. How much longer like this? Everyone may have grievances: a job that never came, a little less income in their pocket, an insulting political slogan, some people’s illicit enrichment, a fine, even an unlawful one, repeated inaction with consequences. But, ultimately, there are things that unite us all: life, peace, security, family, property and wealth. 15,000 police officers alone cannot protect and save us all. Crime backed by political support is vicious, and impossible to confront because of the fundamentalism that inspires it—even with 15,000 people, each carrying two weapons. That is why we must stand together, police and citizens. Together, to continue the fight! Against the criminals and those who pardon them.

Hundreds of Shkodër residents gather at the hospital to see the colonel off SHKODËR—Late last night, the body of Colonel Arben Zylyftari was transported from Shkodër to Tirana, where the official ceremony in his honor will take place. Yesterday evening, hundreds of Shkodër residents were at the Shkodër hospital, where officials from the Ministry of Public Order began transporting his lifeless body to Tirana. Throughout yesterday afternoon, the people of Shkodër showed unprecedented solidarity with the colonel; all, in tears, remembered Zylyftari and expressed their grief. TV stations in Shkodër and Vlorë air special programs about the colonel SHKODËR–VLORË—Immediately after the news of Colonel Zylyftari’s killing, private TV stations in Vlorë and Shkodër began broadcasting special programs about his work in those cities. Hundreds of citizens expressing their appreciation of the chief of police appeared on screen. In Vlorë, a poll named Zylyftari ‘Person of the Year’ for ’99. Malësi e Madhe, Shkodër, Lezhë, Vlorë and Korçë: today in Tirana and Berat Local officials, friends and relatives have decided to travel today from Shkodër, Lezhë, Malësi e Madhe, Vlorë and Korçë to Tirana, and then on to Berat, to accompany to his final resting place the colonel who brought security, peace and order to their cities. The funeral procession will pass through the cities all the way to Berat, accompanied by thousands of people.

Shkodër Police Director Colonel Arben Zylyftari is killed • The colonel was killed while shouting, “Be careful, don’t let the police officers get killed” In the photo: Colonel Arben Zylyftari, killed yesterday in a clash with criminals in Shkodër

Meta: Whoever shoots at the police has shot at the state, has shot at the people; therefore, no mercy for the criminals

THE COLONEL’S LATEST ARRESTS

In 11 months he intercepted and seized 19 speedboats and inflatable boats, 3 pistols for producing and repairing inflatable boats, 4,000 kg of hashish seized and sent back, 200 cases of cigarettes intercepted and seized aboard the smuggling ship “Urikan”, criminal circles freed through highly professional work, hundreds of prostitutes apprehended, Albanian and foreign, and 13 criminal groups dismantled, including the group of Zani Çausht.