TIRANA, Oct 13 /ATA/ The State Police announced today that 23 protesters had been escorted to police premises for followup procedural action following incidents during today’s protest outside the Ministry of Education.
In a statement on social media, the State Police said that six officers from the National Security Force and a female journalist had been injured in an attack by masked individuals taking part in the protest.
According to the police, all those injured are out of life-threatening danger.
The investigative units of the Tirana Local Police Directorate, in cooperation with the Prosecution Office attached to the Tirana Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction, have immediately launched investigative and procedural actions to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in unlawful acts during the gathering and bring them to criminal justice.
The State Police reiterated its commitment to fully guaranteeing citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly and urged participants in demonstrations not to engage in unlawful acts that undermine public order and security, warning that they would face the criminal penalties provided for by law.
During the protest, a group of participants engaged in violent acts, damaging the outer perimeter fence and then the entrance gate as they attempted to enter the courtyard. They also continued to smash and damage the building’s windows and façade using stone slabs and other hard objects.
Police officers called on them to stop the attack on the institution, but they continued to assault officers with petrol bombs, firecrackers, stones and other hard objects.
Police officers again urged the violent individuals to stop the attack and leave the courtyard of the Ministry building, but the participants failed to comply with the repeated instructions.
Under these circumstances, in accordance with the applicable laws and standard operating procedures, police units intervened proportionately to neutralise those responsible for these acts and restore public order.
To ensure public order and safety during the protest scheduled for midday today near the Ministry of Education building, the State Police drew up an operational plan in accordance with the law and standard operating procedures.
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