ALBANIA: TIRANA: TRIAL OF LAST COMMUNIST LEADER RAMIS ALIA BEGINS

(18 Feb 1997) Natural Sound

The trial of Albania's last communist leader Ramis Alia - and other former officials - began in the capital Tirana on Tuesday.

But proceedings were later postponed for 10 days to allow legal arguments.

Alia, three former interior ministers and one of their deputies are charged with crimes against humanity during the last years of communism.

The state alleges the communist leaders sent thousands of Albanians to labour and detention camps for their political and religious beliefs.

If convicted - the men could face the death penalty.

Ramis Alia appeared confident as he approached the court for his second trial since the Democratic Party took over in 1992.

He, three former interior ministers and one of their deputies are charged with crimes against humanity.

The state has accused them of sending thousands of Albanians to labour and detention camps for their political and religious beliefs.

Alia also is charged with ordering the deaths of people who tried to escape from the country.

Prosecutor Adnan Xhelili told the court that Alia's order resulted in the death of 58 people at the Albanian border from 1990 until 1992.

72-year-old Alia grew agitated as the judges threw out one of his lawyer's procedural complaints.

The court refused to consider that Alia had not been properly notified about the trial date.

Alia then appealed to reporters to pay close attention to the proceedings to make sure he gets a fair hearing.

The trial was later postponed for 10 days to allow lawyers for the former leader to present a call for the Judges to be replaced.

Alia was Albania's last communist president.

He held the reins of power for six years after the death of the Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha in 1985.

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