Berisha: More than 50 students and citizens injured in protest, their determination was extreme

During a meeting with the leaders of the Democratic Party branches in Tirana, Sali Berisha spoke about the student protest, which he described as the most powerful revolt of its kind.

According to Berisha, clashes during the gathering left more than 50 people injured, including individuals with femur fractures, leg injuries and skull fractures.

He said the protest, which took place over a period of less than two days, was accompanied by what he described as the harshest state violence against peaceful protesters.

Berisha said Tirana’s streets and squares had never before witnessed such resistance from students, praising their determination as extreme.

The DP leader accused Edi Rama of ordering the use of force against young people and citizens, claiming that protesters were forced to use every means available to confront officers whom he described as criminals in uniform and perpetrators of violence.

“More than 50 students and citizens have been injured,” Berisha said, referring to femur fractures, leg injuries and fractures to the frontal part of the skull, which he described as its strongest area.

He added that dozens of other people had suffered injuries to various parts of their bodies, while dozens upon dozens more had been affected by bear spray in the eyes or hit with water cannons.

Berisha described the students’ response as heroic and said it stemmed from their spiritual revolt against the narco-dictatorship.

According to him, students also have strong reasons to confront the government and consign this period to the “house of shame of history.”

He claimed that, in relation to their incomes, students today pay rents at least five times higher than their peers anywhere else.

Berisha also said that buildings traditionally serving students had been taken over by the mafia and were being used for personal gain, leaving young people unable to afford rent and pursue their studies.