Rama threatens students with fines, but no one is coming to him for dialogue / Activist Anjeza Marku: Violence has never started with us, we demand his…

Activist and student Anjeza Marku, speaking as a guest on the News24 studio program, sharply criticized Prime Minister Edi Rama over the new punitive measures announced against protesters, saying the government is trying to pressure young people through fines and administrative sanctions.

Marku rejected claims that students were responsible for starting the clashes during the protests, while raising concerns about the use of rubber bullets and tear gas by police forces.

“Violence has never started with the students. The use of rubber bullets has a distance from which they should be fired. They should be used from a distance of around 50 meters, and the chest and upper body should not be targeted,” she said.

Commenting on the legislative package presented by Rama, which provides for heavy fines and other measures against participants in violent protests, the activist said that students had no intention of abandoning their demand for the prime minister’s resignation.

“We are demanding Rama’s resignation. Apparently, no one has come to him for dialogue, and he is trying to exert pressure and violence from all sides by threatening fines and administrative measures. There is no one left on his side,” Marku said.

The student stressed that one of the main reasons that had prompted her to take part in the protests was the lack of meritocracy in Albania. According to her, educated young people and students with excellent results are taking part in the rallies, seeking equal opportunities and a better future in the country.

“I am protesting because of the lack of meritocracy in this country. There are many excellent young people at that protest. Most of the young people there are highly accomplished and help one another,” she said.

Marku also denounced the widespread use of tear gas during police interventions, raising questions about the identification and safety of the materials used.

“The use of tear gas by the police on that scale is criminal. There is no label, expiration date, etc.,” the activist said.