DP condemns police violence against protesters and demands investigation: Rama is out of sync

The Democratic Party has condemned police violence against protesting citizens.

In a public statement, the deputy chairman of the Security Committee in the Assembly, DP MP Klevis Balliu, demands an investigation into police violence against protesters.

According to the DP, Edi Rama is distraught, while also providing details regarding the injured citizens.

Balli's statement:

Violence against Albanians who protest, according to a universal right granted to them by the Constitution and international conventions, is clear evidence that Edi Rama, surrounded and disoriented, has abandoned propaganda and has seized the rubber baton, tear gas, and the means of repression against citizens.

The balance of today's protest in front of the Parliament is alarming. According to official data from health institutions, 17 people have received medical treatment at the QSUT and the University Trauma Hospital. 10 protesters have presented themselves at the QSUT: 4 have been treated in the Emergency Room and 3 others in the Toxicology service, while 1 protester has received treatment at the University Trauma Hospital.

Beyond this balance, during the protest there were cases where some young people were raped by unidentified persons, while citizens were escorted and arrested for symbolic acts of protest, such as throwing eggs. These events require a full and transparent investigation, because in a democratic state no one should be raped or deprived of their liberty due to exercising the right to protest.

The Democratic Party condemns any act of disproportionate violence against protesters and reconfirms once again that the only solution is the demands of the civic protest and their fulfillment.

The behavior of the State Police raises serious concerns. Instead of guaranteeing order and protecting citizens, it acts as a structure in defense of political power, exercising violence and repression against protesters. 

We call on the Prosecutor's Office to investigate any illegal, inappropriate and disproportionate use of force, to identify the unidentified persons who used violence against young people, and to verify the legality of the escorts and arrests of citizens for symbolic acts of protest.

Albania cannot be a country where protesters are raped, arrested for an egg, and treated like criminals, while thieves of public money are protected with tear gas to prevent them from getting a tomato. 

There is only one solution to all of this, and it is found in the protestors' call that is echoing in the square and everywhere: Rama, resign!