DP denounces violence against protesters and calls for investigation: Edi Rama is surrounded and disoriented

Today’s protest outside Parliament, which began at 8:30 a.m., was marked by tensions and clashes. At 10:00 a.m., when the plenary session began, protesters threw eggs at MPs.

Police detained several people during the rally.

Following these developments, the Democratic Party reacted by describing the toll of police violence against protesters as alarming and calling for an investigation. Its position was made public through a statement by Democratic Party MP Klevis Balliu, deputy chair of Parliament’s Security Committee.

According to Balliu, the use of violence against Albanians protesting on the basis of a universal right guaranteed by the Constitution and international conventions clearly shows that Edi Rama, now surrounded and disoriented, has abandoned propaganda and is using batons, tear gas and instruments of repression against citizens.

The Democratic Party said the toll from today’s protest outside Parliament was concerning. Citing official data from healthcare institutions, it said that 17 people received medical treatment at the Mother Teresa University Hospital Center and the University Trauma Hospital. Ten protesters were admitted to the Mother Teresa University Hospital Center, of whom four were treated in the Emergency Department and three others in the Toxicology Department, while one protester received medical assistance at the University Trauma Hospital.

The Democratic Party also raised concerns that, in addition to this toll, there were cases during the protest in which several young people were assaulted by unidentified individuals. According to the party, other citizens were detained and arrested for symbolic acts of protest, including throwing eggs.

The Democratic Party called for a full and transparent investigation into these events, stressing that in a democratic state no one should be assaulted or deprived of their liberty for exercising the right to protest.

The Democratic Party headquarters condemned any disproportionate use of violence against protesters and reiterated its position that the only solution lies in the demands of the citizens’ protest and their fulfillment.

The statement also criticized the conduct of the State Police, which, according to the Democratic Party, is acting as an institution serving those in political power and using repression and violence against protesters, rather than maintaining order and ensuring citizens’ protection.

The Democratic Party called on the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate every case involving the unlawful, unnecessary and disproportionate use of force. It also called for the identification of the unidentified individuals who assaulted the young people, as well as a review of the legality of citizens’ detention and arrest for symbolic acts of protest.

According to the Democratic Party, Albania cannot be turned into a country where protesters are assaulted, arrested over an egg and treated like criminals, while those who steal public funds are protected with tear gas to prevent them from being hit by a tomato.

In conclusion, the party said there is only one solution, expressed through the protesters’ chant, which it said is being heard loudly in the square and everywhere: “Rama, resign!”