TIRANA, February 11/ATA/ Interior Minister Albana Koçiu stated today that the protest is a right, but violence is not.
In a statement to the media, Koçiu stressed that anyone who attacks the police officer and attempts to undermine the constitutional order will be held accountable under the law, regardless of their political standing.
Koçiu stated that, “The failed attempt to seize power through violence, attacking police officers, burning institutions, and moreover by using minors to throw Molotov cocktails or strong objects at police officers, so that the real perpetrators are not prosecuted, is a shameful and punishable act”.
The minister said that this is precisely the reason why the protests of the Democratic Party have been massively abandoned by the citizens, ending up with a handful of militants, or paid elements to create imaginary scenarios of a popular revolt.
“This is unacceptable”, said the Minister of Interior.
The right to protest, added Koçiu, does not mean the right to violate, to destroy, or even less, to attempt to maim or kill police officers.
“Therefore, the Ministry of Interior and the State Police will act swiftly to address these actions. The perpetrators will be met with the full force of the law”, she said.
Koçiu called on legal authorities to prosecute these brutal assaults on law enforcement officers to the fullest extent of the law, behind which undoubtedly stand the masterminds hidden behind immunity, under the leadership of Sali Berisha, a recidivist offender against the constitutional order. Koçiu expressed maximum solidarity “with all the injured police officers, as well as their colleagues, who once again carry out their duties with professionalism, without falling prey to a clear strategy of terror, through repeated provocation of violence and bloodshed. /j.p/p.s./
