The National Intelligence Service (NIS or SHIK) is Albania’s secret police created by the Albanian parliament in 1992. A high proportion of its security officers were reportedly from President Sali Berisha’s native northeastern region. On April 1, 1997 the prime minister, Bashkim Fino, announced the suspension of SHIK activity in Albania effective March 31, 1997. All funds for SHIK were blocked and President Sali Berisha accepted the resignations of SHIK Director Bashkim Gazidede and his deputy, Bujar Rama. President Berisha’s goal was to give the agency a new image and to restructure the agency.
On May 30, the President named Arben Karkini as the new head of SHIK. After the Socialists won the July 1997 parliamentary elections Fatos Klosi was appointed the Chief of the SHIK. The US Central Intelligence Agency sent a team of experts to Albania in October to assist the government in restructuring the SHIK during a three-month training course required for all agents. Jane’s Intelligence Review reported on December 1, 1997, that on the evening of September 22, 1997, the former chairman of SHIK, Shkëlqim Agolli was murdered in his home in Athens by professional assassins.
