Top student responds to Rama: I have never been convicted; police assaulted me and protests will continue

After Prime Minister Edi Rama accused him of using or distributing drugs, student Jon Sinoimeri rejected the claim in a statement to News24. He called the statement a lie and stressed that he had never been convicted or appeared in court.

Sinoimeri also expressed “fear” that Rama might cut off his scholarship, saying the state could take such a measure against him. The student claimed that police assaulted him on the day he took part in a protest, but emphasized that neither he nor the youth would be stopped.

Recounting what happened on October 13, he explained that he had been at school that day and then went to the protest alone. According to him, police sprayed water containing chemicals, and he bought three bottles of water at a shop at that moment.

The student said he had only exchanged words with officers when 17 police officers began chasing him. He said they took him behind the Ministry of Education, where they assaulted him, and then escorted him to Police Station No. 3.

According to Sinoimeri, after spending many hours at the station, he was released without appearing in court. He reiterated that he had not been convicted and had never appeared before a court.

Confirming that protests would continue, including online protests, the student rejected claims that participants were being paid. He described them as false propaganda and said they were free students who wanted what was best for Albania.

In closing, Sinoimeri thanked the media for giving them a platform to make their voices heard.