29.10.2008 by Lupo.

Croatia Sets Up Special Anti-Mafia Courts

Police investigate the scene of the car bombing where Ivo Pukanic and his marketing chief were killed Police investigate the scene of the car bombing where Ivo Pukanic and his marketing chief were killed 29 October 2008 Zagreb _ Croatia has launched special courts, pledged improved witness protection and to rebuild the police force in an offensive against organised crime after last week’s murder of a journalist.

Last Thursday a car bombing in central Zagreb killed high-profile journalist Ivo Pukanic and his marketing chief, Niko Franjic.

The killings were the latest in a string of violent incidents in Croatia which have cast a shadow over its plans to tie up European Union accession talks next year.

Dealing with organised crime and corruption is among the main requirements Zagreb has to meet for conclusion of the talks.

“The situation is serious and there is no time to lose. Organised crime has spread so much that it is threatening our citizens’ security and our European ambitions,” Justice Minister Ivan Simonovic told parliament on Wednesday.

Simonovic said four specialised organised crime courts had been set up with instructions to hold quick and efficient trials.

Another law would curtail benefits enjoyed by convicted criminals in prison, where many have free weekends and regular access to laptops and mobile phones.

He said Croatia would also improve witness protection programmes and move swiftly to confiscate criminals’ property.

“That will hit the mafia where it hurts the most - on their wallets,” he said.

Prime Minister Ivo Sanader declared all-out war on the local mafia after the murder of Pukanic, editor of weekly newspaper Nacional which lifted the lid on corruption.

In other violent incidents, the daughter of a prominent lawyer was shot dead in Zagreb earlier this month.

Sanader appointed Simonovic and Tomislav Karamarko as Interior Minister after that killing.

Karamarko told parliament on Wednesday that he would seek to rebuild a police force that was headed by police chiefs who were professional law-enforcment officers rather than political appointees.

He said the police in Croatia had been mismanaged and politically controlled since the 1991-95 war of independence.

Criminal police would be told to take a much more active approach “so we can be one step ahead of criminal gangs,” he said.

Cooperation with Interpol and neighbouring countries would be boosted, while some 250 extra policemen had already been deployed in Zagreb, scene of most crimes this year.

Police said this week it had detained dozens of suspects after combing the local underworld for clues in the high-profile murders.

But nobody has yet been charged.

Croatia steps up fight against organised crime

29/10/2008

Croatia has taken a series of measures in a crackdown on organised crime, prompted by the recent killings of several high-profile figures.

(Javno.hr — 27/10/08 - 29/10/08; Reuters, B92, Deutsche Welle, The Sofia Echo - 28/10/08; AFP, AP, Reuters - 27/10/08)

Setimes

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29.10.2008 by Atahualpa.

Der in Haft sitzende Super Verbrecher Mihal Delijorgji, der einem der übelsten Bau Mafia Syndikate ebenso vor stand, neben seinen Waffen Geschäften, hatte per Gerichts Urteil 1,2 Millionen $ Schulden bei Zoll von Durres, weil er mit gefälschten Dokumenten Waren einführte, was so ungefährt Standard verhalten der Politischen Mafia ist. 3 korrupte Richter wurden nun vom Durres Gericht entlassen, weil sie per weiteren Gerichts Beschluss illegal dieses Gerichts Urteil für ungültig erklärten und wohl dafür mit je 10.000 € korrumpiert wurden.

American Envoy Is Linked to Arms Deal Cover-Up

New York Times

Albania’s High Court dismisses judges over controversial ruling

29/10/2008

TIRANA, Albania – The High Court of Justice has dismissed three judges from a Durres court who declared Mihal Delijorgji, former manager of the company Perparimi, innocent of financial fraud in 2007, media reported on Tuesday (October 28th). High Court of Justice Deputy Chairman Kreshink Spahiu said the judges had committed procedural violations. Delijorgji faced charges of causing financial damages worth more than 900,000 euros to the Durres customs service, but the judges cleared him of all charges. He is currently in custody in connection with the deadly March 15th explosions in Gerdec. At the time of the blasts, he was manager of the company Alba Demil, which had a subcontract to destroy old army ammunition. (Alsat, BalkanWeb, Shekulli, Telegrafi - 28/10/08)

Setimes

Gerdec Kathastrophe in Deutsch

Three More Albanian Judges Sacked

29 October 2008 Tirana _ Albania’s High Council of Justice has dismissed three judges on counts of abuse of power.

The decision comes just days after the dismissal of two other judges, one on the count of corruption and the other on abuse of power charges.

Nine other cases of judges mishandling their positions and obligations are currently pending at the High Council of Justice.

A study backed by the United States in March found that corruption in Albania has worsened over the past year. The study was conducted by the Institute for Development and Research Alternatives, IDRA, funded by the US Agency for International Development.

The survey tracks both the perception and experience of corruption amongst ordinary citizens.

According to the survey, 92 per cent of Albanians say corruption is widespread among public officials, eight points worse than a year ago.

Nearly 60 per cent have little or no trust in the judicial system. By a three to one margin, Albanians do not think the judges are impartial when conducting trials.

Corruption affects all parts of Albanian society, the economy, the potential for investment, Albania’s image abroad and remains the country’s greatest challenge in its European Union aspirations.

http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/14412/

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