Albanian/Nat The son of one of Europe's most ruthless dictators has been sentenced to one year of house arrest. Ilir Hoxha, 46, was sentenced in the Albanian capital, Tirana, after defending the name of his late father, the Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha in a newspaper interview. The court charged him with causing civil disorder. As Albania faces mounting criticism for its apparent failure to move forward from its communist regime, the son of the former dictator Enver Hoxha is in legal trouble. Enver Hoxha ruled the tightly-closed Eastern European country with an iron-fist until his death in 1985. His regime is remembered for its human rights abuses, corruption and severe shortages of basic goods. His 46-year old son, Ilir Hoxha, defended his father in a newspaper interview. After unsuccessfully reading his plea of innocence, the judges last week charged him with civil disobedience and sentenced him to one year under house arrest. Some critics fear the new regime of President Sali Berisha continues to ignore freedom of speech. The former dictator's grave has been moved from the Heroes cemetery to an ordinary cemetery in Tirana. Many elderly Albanians who reminisce for the old days still come and put flowers on his grave. SOUNDBITE (Albanian) "This is the most glorious figure of the Albanian people." SUPER CAPTION: Hoxha supporter Not every visitor to his grave site shows as much respect. SOUNDBITE (Albanian) "The man who lies in this grave is a bastard. He destroyed all our lives. Now people blame democracy for their difficulties. They forget all the consequences of his dictatorship." SUPER CAPTION: Hoxha critic The late Stalinist dictator's widow, Nexhmije Hoxha, is in jail for corruption. Since the downfall of Hoxha's family, their home has been turned into a government guest house. The area around the villa is now open to the public and has become a hangout for local teenagers. During Hoxha's time in power, the citizens of Tirana were not allowed to walk in what used to be called 'the block' - the people living there were called 'blockmen.' You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/5b9d3fdbca9260bb0d7266a983310ed6 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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