Gent Progni files criminal complaint against Saimir Koka: “They hit me more than 100 times,” accusations of police intimidation and over the July 2 violence

IT expert and activist Gent Progni has filed a criminal complaint at Police Station No. 1 in Tirana following a serious incident in which he was assaulted on July 2. In a statement to the media, he described what happened that day, making direct accusations against the bodyguard of Socialist Party MP Ulsi Manja, as well as against the actions of State Police structures.

According to Progni’s account, everything began near a café close to Parliament, after an argument and insults that, according to him, came from Manja. The activists then responded by throwing eggs, while the intervention of police and other individuals ended in a physical clash.

Progni made serious accusations against the person who, according to him, brutally assaulted him, identifying him as Saimir Koka, Ulsi Manja’s bodyguard. “He hit me more than 100 times with punches. I put myself in a defensive position with my hands over my head and he kept hitting me even though I was lying on the ground,” he said, adding that he had requested the seizure of security camera footage to accurately document the circumstances of the incident.

He also raised serious accusations over the conduct of police officers. According to Progni, the first step in filing the complaint was taken with the Police Oversight Agency (AMP), where he reported the leadership of Police Station No. 4, claiming that the head of that station was present during the assault and did not intervene.

The activist said that even today he faced obstacles at Police Station No. 1 as he tried to officially register his complaint. “The judicial police officer was Bledar Rushiti, who did not allow me to file the complaint with my lawyer. I do not know the reason why. From the very beginning of the complaint, they tried to intimidate me by telling me that it was only a grievance and not a criminal complaint,” he said.

Progni also claims that at Police Station No. 4 he was not given the opportunity to follow any legal procedure for the forensic medical examination of the injuries he suffered.

Another element he made public concerns the beating of another person, who was carrying a camera that filmed the entire scene. “Besnart Kajimi is currently inside, and he had a 360-degree camera. They beat him until he handed it over to those people there at the café. We hope to find it because it proves all the footage and the whole truth,” Progni concluded.