TIRANA, Oct 24 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Saturday that violence during protests was aimed at destabilising the country and derailing its European path, adding that authorities were investigating possible links between those involved and organised crime and foreign actors.
Speaking alongside Interior Minister Ervin Demo, Rama said Albania was coordinating with counterparts in Italy and France over what he described as the spread of “urban terror” associated with Antifa in all three countries.
Rama said police had detained and prosecuted people with criminal records who, he alleged, had joined the protests posing as students despite having no connection to the student movement.
He described them as a violent element seeking to destabilise the country and reverse its progress, alleging that organised crime and foreign actors were behind them. He said investigations were continuing.
The prime minister also criticised media outlets for what he called their attempts to downplay violence in the name of students and young people.
Rama acknowledged that grievances affecting society, families and young people were legitimate and required solutions, but said they could not justify violence.
“The language of stones, clubs, fire, hatred, insults and threats cannot be granted the status of civic conduct if we want a secure future for this country and our children,” he said.
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