Berisha: I have requested international investigation into January 21 case, Guard acted in accordance with the law

Sonila Mehmeti — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:31:03 +0000

TIRANA, Jan 21 /ATA/ Today marks the 15th anniversary of the “January 21” protest, which claimed the lives of four protesters on the boulevard in front of the Prime Minister’s office. Sali Berisha, the leader of the Democratic Party and former Prime Minister at the time, described the event as “the most violent protest in the nation’s history, thoroughly documented and substantiated.”
During a press conference, Berisha stated that the protest had a “political agenda,” as highlighted in international documents.
“The protest was organized based on a dreadful falsification, specifically a recording by Dritan Prifti, which referenced a letter—if I recall correctly—from a business owner who had been granted a tender for a hydroelectric power plant through the courts, not through us. The court had revoked it from an Italian company and awarded it to him, but the court’s decision needed to be enforced. The letter stated: ‘Dear Minister, due to the three-month delay in implementing the court’s decision, my business has lost over 700,000 euros.’”
“The reference to 700 thousand euros, made by Ilir Meta to Dritan Prifti, in the context of urging the execution of the court ruling, was misrepresented to imply that he had either received or was requesting the sum of 700 thousand euros from the company,” stated Berisha.
The leader of the Democratic Party remarked that the protest conveyed a political message: “Either accept the political solution,” he told me, “or we will step over the bodies.”

Berisha also emphasized that he has called for a comprehensive international investigation into the events of January 21st.

“Several statements from the United States government, as well as from international institutions, have called for a thorough investigation into this incident, ranging from the actions of individual police officers to the identification of the key organizers,” stated Berisha.
The leader of the Democratic Party emphasized that the Guard acted in accordance with the law.

“Ina Rama investigated the case, but she never dared to call Edi Rama. She found no reason, as there were clear intentions, and the Guard acted within the confines of the law. The Guard implemented the law,” said Berisha.
When questioned regarding any moral responsibility for the events of January 21, Berisha stated: “I do not bear responsibility in this matter. I managed 752 opposition protests across the country, adhering to the highest democratic standards, without any violations, and in full compliance with the principles of a democratic state.”

Berisha asserted that protesters had thrown stones and fired bullets at the windows of the Prime Minister’s office.

“When it comes to my responsibility, should I be accountable for the stones and bullets being thrown and fired? The Prime Minister (Rama) denied it today, but the evidence is clear—bullets and their trajectories are well-documented, aimed directly at the Prime Minister while he was in office. I was not the one fortifying doors, nor was I the one to abandon my office. I did not act as the coward who fled,” Berisha remarked.

The former Prime Minister stated that the elections were conducted in accordance with the requirements of the OSCE-ODIHR, fulfilling the key international standards for free elections.
Berisha added that he was actively working and had rejected requests for evacuation. “Edi Rama was staying in the tower across the street, waiting for the moment to come to my office and address the invaders below. However, he could never have succeeded.”

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Guard-Berisha-investigation – Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

Berisha: I have requested international investigation into January 21 case, Guard acted in accordance with the law