TIRANA, July 3 /ATA/ – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said on Friday that police intervened only after protesters turned violent during yesterday’s demonstration outside parliament in Tirana, adding that those responsible would face legal action.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Elbasan Regional Police Directorate, where he inaugurated renovated police facilities alongside State Police Director General Skënder Hita, Lamallari said the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed but violence against police officers, journalists and public institutions is unacceptable.
He said police officers were attacked with stones and other hard objects, leaving several injured, while journalists were also assaulted and public property was damaged.
According to Lamallari, police acted in accordance with the law to prevent the situation from escalating and to protect public order, as well as journalists carrying out their work.
Rejecting allegations that police had assaulted reporters, Lamallari said video footage showed journalists being confronted by protesters, who attempted to seize their microphones and physically pushed them.
He said a clear distinction should be made between peaceful protest and acts of violence.
“People who throw stones at police officers, intimidate members of parliament, assault journalists and damage public property are not protesters,” Lamallari said. “They are simply vandals.”
Earlier today, the Albanian Journalists’ Union called for investigations into reported assaults on journalists during the demonstrations, including allegations involving police officers.
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