TIRANA, Oct. 18 /ATA/ – Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha accused police on Sunday evening of firing tear gas inside the main opposition party’s headquarters, describing the action as retaliation after an alleged plan to provoke attacks on political party offices during protests failed.
Speaking to reporters, Berisha said protesters had made no attempt to attack the building and that the use of tear gas was unjustified.
“But this time, when they failed, the time came for the police to act in the most retaliatory, shameful and criminal manner, violating the premises of the opposition Democratic Party in a serious breach of the law and the Constitution,” Berisha said.
He described the use of tear gas as an act of retaliation against the opposition and said people inside the headquarters had been affected by the gas.
“They threw enormous quantities of tear gas canisters without any justification whatsoever, purely as retaliation against the Democratic Party for the failure of their plan. The quantities were massive; people here became ill, they were poisoned, and you saw it yourselves,” he said.
Berisha also alleged that a second attempt had been made to provoke an attack on the party’s headquarters between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
“Now that their plan has failed, we have evidence that they are making a second attempt to attack these headquarters between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. But the genuine protesters, who make up the overwhelming majority, could not be manipulated, and Edi Rama’s lackeys in action abandoned the effort en masse,” he said.
Berisha warned Prime Minister Edi Rama that Democratic Party supporters were more mobilised than ever and would continue their civil disobedience across the country, from Saranda and Delvina in the south to Tropoja in the north.
“The regime will tremble; it will have no more peace or tranquillity,” he said.
Berisha also said the party would welcome and protect any minor targeted during the protests, in accordance with the law.
“Any minor who is attacked is welcome and will be protected by the Democratic Party in accordance with the law. Protecting minors is a fundamental duty of every adult. Those who attack minors violate the laws and the Constitution,” he said, praising party members who had taken minors into their care.
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