Clashes outside Parliament/European Democrats: Police response to protesters was harsh!

In a reaction on social media, the European Democrats (PDE/EDP) commented on the clashes that took place the previous day between police and protesters outside Parliament, as lawmakers returned to session after a month-long recess.

They said the images emerging from Albania were disturbing and that the police response to the protesters was harsh.

According to the European Democrats, people without uniforms intervened, raising questions about whether they were police officers or other individuals.

“Yesterday, as the protests in Tirana entered their 101st consecutive day, the images reaching us became deeply disturbing. Detentions increased, the police response appeared disproportionately harsh, and people without visible uniforms were seen intervening, raising serious questions about whether they were police officers or individuals acting outside any clear chain of accountability.

This comes after social media accounts linked to the protests were blocked and restricted last week, a further concern for freedom of expression and access to information,” they stressed.

They then pointed the finger at Prime Minister Edi Rama, saying that under his leadership, the country is facing a serious test of its democratic standards at a time when it is also seeking membership in the EU.

“Under Edi Rama’s leadership, Albania is facing a serious test of its democratic standards. A country seeking to join the European Union must strengthen the rule of law, protect fundamental freedoms, and guarantee the right to disagree, protest and speak freely,” the European Democrats stressed, they added.