TIRANA, Oct. 19 /ATA/ – The ruling Socialist Party (SP) is discussing measures to restrict certain rights and benefits for people involved in violent acts during protests, SP parliamentary group chairman Taulant Balla said on Monday evening, while criticising prosecutors and courts for their handling of recent incidents.
Speaking on ABC News’ “Real Story” talk show, Balla said the measures announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama were intended to impose consequences on those involved in violence. He stressed that the proposals were still under discussion, with a clearer announcement expected on Tuesday.
“The prime minister announced today several measures similar to those being considered or implemented in some European countries, concerning restrictions on certain rights for people involved in acts of violence,” Balla said.
“If a student sets fire to the Education Ministry, even if they are not prosecuted criminally, I believe they should no longer be entitled to certain benefits. If you receive a scholarship from the Education Ministry and engage in violent acts against it, at the very least you should no longer receive that scholarship,” he said.
Balla added that the proposals remained under government discussion and said he did not know which measures were being considered in detail.
“Everyone involved in acts of violence must understand that they will not be able to enjoy certain freedoms that they themselves have violated,” he said.
He also criticised prosecutors and courts, accusing them of failing to act against offences committed during the protests.
Addressing clashes between protesters and police, Balla stressed that attacking law enforcement officers constituted a criminal offence.
“I want to tell every citizen: assaulting a police officer is a serious criminal offence, because when you strike a police officer, you strike the state. We have also made disobeying a police officer a criminal offence,” he said.
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