Shehaj after meeting detainees: Minors in cells and young people reporting police violence

Agron Shehaj, leader of the Mundësia Party, today denounced the violence he said police had inflicted on young people arrested and held at the security facility at Police Station No. 3 in the capital.

Shehaj said nearly 200 protesters were being held at the security facility in Mine Peza. According to him, about 90% of them were aged 18 to 21, while nearly 15 were minors. He described their conditions of detention as appalling, saying four people had been placed in each cell for every bed, including 15- and 16-year-olds.

After meeting with the detainees, the Mundësia leader said some had told him about a room in the Ministry of Education where, according to their accounts, they had been assaulted. He said some mentioned dozens of protesters who had been taken there, while others spoke of hundreds.

Shehaj said one of the young people had a black eye and a swollen, broken nose but had not received medical care. He said he had requested an ambulance and immediate medical assistance for at least four of the people inside.

Calling what was happening to young people and protesters unacceptable, Shehaj urged the government and Prime Minister Edi Rama to immediately stop the violence against students. He warned that those responsible would be held accountable for their actions.