New testimony to help Gerdec blast investigation

TIRANA, Dec 17 – New evidence from the United States has come to the Albanian prosecutors investigating the March 15 tragedy of the blast at the ammunition disposal factory in Gerdec which killed 26 and injured some 300 persons.
Patrick Henry, a Swiss owing an intermediary company in the Albanian ammunition contract, has testified to American investigators.
The testimony has arrived at the Justice Ministry which is to first translate it before giving it to the prosecutors.
The testimony shows that Henry had not known about a second contract with the Albanian Albdemil owed by Mihal Delijorgji, now under arrest.
Albania, through MEICO of the Defense Ministry, had signed a contract to dispose of small ammunition with the American company Southern Ammunition Company Inc, which ended in December 2007. It is also being investigated why Albanian rifle ammunition were sold to the Afghan army in repacked boxes.
Immediately the Albdemil continued its work to dispose of shells. Besides Albdemil was also entitled to selling the ammunition or its elements.
It was these shells which caused the tragedy earlier this year.
Then-Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu resigned, was lifted his parliamentary immunity and is also under investigation, though not yet charged.
The local media also reported this week that some former army generals, who were fired after the blast, may also be indicted.
The opposition, on its side, has directly accused Prime Minister Sali Berisha of getting involved in the doubtful contract through his son.