Demo on the student protest: No justification for violence, responsibility must be determined by the evidence

Minister of Interior Ervin Demo has once again commented on the student protest, calling for restraint and the equal application of the law. He categorically condemned attacks against police officers and damage to public and private property, stressing that the right to protest does not justify violence against people or institutions.

In his statement, addressed to citizens, Demo described today’s events in front of the Ministry of Education as concerning. The minister expressed concern for all those injured, whether students, citizens, journalists or police officers, and wished them a speedy recovery. According to him, the responsible institutions will make public the full number of injured people once it has been verified.

Demo stressed that the Albanian state fully guarantees peaceful protest as a democratic right. However, he emphasized that this fundamental right cannot serve as justification for violence against individuals and institutions, while unequivocally condemning attacks against the Police and damage to public and private property.

The minister recalled that protecting citizens, institutions and public safety is a duty of the State Police. He said officers must be supported when carrying out their duties in accordance with the law and that protecting them from any attack is also part of their responsibility.

At the same time, Demo called for police interventions to meet the criteria of legality, necessity and proportionality. He announced that the competent authorities would impartially assess any claim involving the use of force in violation of the law or in a disproportionate manner, without prejudging the outcome of the investigation.

To clarify every possible detail, the minister stressed the need to preserve and verify all footage and testimony that could assist in the process.

According to Demo, no one should be treated differently before the law. Responsibility must be assessed individually, based on the evidence; the fact that someone is attending the same protest does not make them responsible for the actions of the person standing next to them.

He said he had asked the responsible structures to take measures to ease tensions and prevent further clashes. According to the minister, these measures must ensure both public safety and the exercise of the right to peaceful protest. Demo also called for journalists to be able to carry out their work in safe conditions.

In his statement, the minister also referred to today’s developments in Luxembourg, where Albania received another assessment of its progress toward the European Union, with another chapter of the negotiations provisionally closed. He stressed that this step increases the responsibility to implement European standards also in the way institutions respond to opposition from anyone and protect citizens’ rights.

Demo concluded his message with a note of thanks, stressing that the European standard means a state that maintains order, respects freedoms and takes responsibility for its actions. According to the minister, this obligation must also be fulfilled following today’s events.