The head of the Movement “Shqipëria Bëhet”, Adriatik Lapaj, recounted how he was escorted to the police after the protest held on Tuesday in front of the Assembly. According to him, the intervention occurred at the moment when journalist Shpend Gashi was being forcibly taken.
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On the show “Minuta e Parë” on News24, opposite journalist Ola Bruko, Lapaj stated that he was surrounded by about 20 people in civilian clothes. He also raised accusations for what he described as a scheme followed by the government.
Lapaj said that he and the other protesters have made their decision and are not worried if they are escorted or arrested every day. According to him, it is a shame to be arrested for stealing money from medicines, while being detained because of a protest against thieves is a “decoration”. He added that even being held for up to 72 hours would not be a problem, because the reaction against thefts is glory.
Describing the event, the head of the Movement “Shqipëria Bëhet” called it a normal protest situation. He explained that they were blocking the vehicle of a deputy who, according to him, had prevented the arrest of Belinda Balluku. Lapaj admitted that they were obstructing the work of deputies, but stressed that these lawmakers, according to him, protect people who steal public money. He even said that this response was overdue.
According to his account, that day everyone was present, while journalist Shpend Gashi had approached to help a woman who was being pushed. Lapaj said that someone had grabbed Gashi by the neck and throat, underlining that such an action is not provided for by law. To support his statements, he asked for the footage to be viewed.
He claimed that Gashi was not resisting and that when he intervened, he found himself surrounded by plainclothes police. Lapaj questioned their use for arrests, as there were also uniformed police officers at the scene.
Lapaj recounted that he had realized that the state was coming at him, but raised questions about a 25-year-old wearing a Dolce & Gabbana shirt, who was approaching to grab him. He said that an employee with a salary of 800 thousand lekë should explain where he found the money for that clothing. According to him, in such a situation he could even have punched him, because he could not know who the person in civilian clothes approaching him was.
He stressed that it is unacceptable for 20 plainclothes officers to drag a journalist, a professor, or an ordinary citizen. However, Lapaj clarified that his criticisms were not directed at ordinary police officers, but at those who, according to him, represent the infiltration of crime into the high levels of police structures.
Regarding the conduct after the escort, Lapaj said that the treatment had been very correct, but there was no argument that justified his being sent to the police. He declared that all these years he has never broken the law, which he claims to know well, including its limits.
According to Lapaj, his intervention was within the legal framework and aimed to protect several citizens from the plainclothes persons who were dragging them. He added that they left the police station as soon as they got there, as it was admitted that the escort had been a mistake.
Finally, Lapaj declared that all persons in the square are equal. He mentioned the boys and girls who have been arrested during the 103 days, while stressing that he himself participates in protests as a citizen. According to him, participation is the best action everyone can take to give strength to the “flame of freedom”. He said that in Albania a protest culture against thieves is being created and that the majority of protesters constitute a homogeneous and united group.
