Tirana, 9 June 1997 (RFE/RL) - The trial of Ramiz Alia, Albania's last communist president, was adjourned today after he failed to appear before the court.
Alia, 71, who is being tried on charges of "genocide and crimes against humanity" is believed to have fled the country in March during widespread unrest across Albania.
The judge in the trial said the police did not know where to find Alia, nor his two co-defendents, former interior ministers, Simon Stefani, 67, and Hekuran Isai, 63.
Imprisoned since March 1996, the former president left his jail cell during rioting in March and has not been seen since. Some reports said he left Albania via Greece.
Alia, 71, who is being tried on charges of "genocide and crimes against humanity" is believed to have fled the country in March during widespread unrest across Albania.
The judge in the trial said the police did not know where to find Alia, nor his two co-defendents, former interior ministers, Simon Stefani, 67, and Hekuran Isai, 63.
Imprisoned since March 1996, the former president left his jail cell during rioting in March and has not been seen since. Some reports said he left Albania via Greece.