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Legal Action
February 26
Ylli Polovina, Free-lancer, IMPRISONED, LEGAL ACTION
Polovina, a well-known free-lance journalist, was detained by Albanian authorities shortly after an explosion that killed four and injured 27 in the center of Tirana, the Albanian capital. The arrest occurred after a news broadcast on Albanian State Television suggested a link between the day's bombing and a Nov. 29 article in Populli Po by Polovina titled "The Car Bomb in Skopje Could be 'Repeated' in Tirana." The article discussed a car bombing in Skopje, Macedonia, and suggested that a figurative "explosion" of corruption may occur in Tirana. On March 5, CPJ sent a letter to President Sali Berisha urging him to clarify the charges against Polovina, who remained in detention, and ensure that he be provided a speedy and fair trial with proper legal representation. On March 12, an Albanian court convicted him of inciting terrorism. Polovina was sentenced to pay a fine of 30,000 lek (US$300) and was then released.
March 14
Aleksander Frangaj, Koha Jone, LEGAL ACTION
Frangaj, editor in chief of the independent daily Koha Jone, was convicted on charges of publishing false information and fined US$1,000. The charges were brought by a former police chief from Gjirokastra who claimed that an article in Koha Jone contained false allegations about him, specifically that he was involved in corruption and was wanted by the authorities. Frangaj was convicted under Albania's widely criticized 1993 Press Law. A few days later, President Sali Berisha annulled the fine. The president offered no explanation for his move, but press reports speculated that it was a gesture by Berisha to ease tensions between the government and Koha Jone, which had been harassed frequently by authorities.
For more information contact europeweb@cpj.org