TIRANA, October 21 /ATSH/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting today with leaders of the banking sector at the venues of the Bank of Albania, following violent attacks during recent youth protests in Tirana.
Rama stated that the government will not make concessions to violent protesters who have attacked institutions, businesses, banks and police forces.
The prime minister appreciated the violence as orchestrated and linked to external elements, claiming that the objective is the destabilization of Europe.
“It was very important to hold this meeting with you as well, following a frenzy of violence that held Tirana hostage, creating the impression of an escalation that could have engulfed all of Albania. There will be no concessions from our side. This is orchestrated violence, linked to external elements,” Rama said.
He also referred to the “Antifa” movement, describing it as a Marxist, neo-communist movement which, according to him, is also present in other European capitals. Rama stated that radicalized young people have been involved in the violent protests; according to him, they call for the imprisonment and exile of those who hold different views. He also noted the involvement of criminal elements, explaining that organized crime provides support to petty, neighborhood-level criminal elements.
“This is also happening in other European capitals, driven by a Marxist, neo-communist movement known as ‘Antifa’,” said Rama.
“Radicalized young people—reminiscent of the Middle Ages—are calling for the imprisonment and exile of anyone they perceive as representing the ‘evil’; meanwhile, there is also a criminal component involved,” Rama said.
“Petty, neighborhood-level criminals are gathering, sponsored by organized crime. Furthermore, they receive support from foreign forces that aim to destabilize Europe. These individuals are not students,” the prime minister stated.
/gj.m/j.p/p.s./
