In his statement, Hita said that “behind the masks of those leading the protest are not students, but individuals recruited to serve the ulterior motives of the real organisers of this protest, both inside and outside the country”.

According to Hita, “none of those detained on the first night turned out to be students, while only a very small number of those detained on the second night were students”.

Statement in full:

For nearly 72 hours, the capital has been gripped by a wave of violence, attacks, arson and destruction targeting state institutions and public and private property, putting citizens’ lives and safety at risk.

So far, 71 State Police officers have been injured while carrying out their duties to protect public order and safety, some of them seriously, Hita said.

“I want to be absolutely clear: the State Police upholds the constitutional right of every citizen, student and political party to protest peacefully. However, a protest cannot be used as a shield for violence, arson, looting or the destruction of public and private property.
The State Police does not belong to any political party. It is an institution of the Republic, serving the law and the public. Our mission is to protect lives, property, institutions and public order, without distinction.”

“I call on parents, teachers and university lecturers to ensure that secondary schoolers and students are not exploited or drawn into acts of organised violence.
Young people have the right to protest, make demands and voice their opposition, but no one should use them as shields to attack institutions, set fires or destroy citizens’ property.
Their safety and future are a shared responsibility of families, schools and the state.”

“Behind the masked individuals leading the protest through violence are not students, but people recruited to serve the ulterior motives of the protest’s real organisers, both inside and outside the country.
The fact is that none of those detained on the first night of the violent protest turned out to be a student. Among those detained on the second night, following widespread arson and looting, only a very small number were students.

Dear State Police officers, today I want to give you a clear assurance:”

“In confronting this violence, you have my full support as Director General, along with the institutional backing of the Minister of the Interior and the Albanian Government, for any lawful action taken in the performance of your duties.
Any attack on a police officer in uniform is an attack on the authority of the law and the state. Anyone who has used violence against police officers or damaged institutions and public or private property will be identified and held accountable under the law.”

“Every additional hour on duty will be recorded and compensated in accordance with the law. Your sacrifices deserve the full respect and full support of the institutions.”

I ask you to act with professionalism, restraint and determination. Do not be provoked, but do not back down from carrying out your duties. Our strength lies in the law, and our authority derives from it.
I also call on those taking part in the demonstrations to immediately distance themselves from masked and violent individuals and not to become involved in acts of violence and destruction. Responsibility is individual, and anyone involved will face the full force of the law.”

“And to anyone who thinks they can impose their will through violence, the message is clear:
Do not mistake the State Police’s restraint for weakness!
The police will not back down in the face of violence. Institutions will be protected. Citizens will be protected. The law will be enforced firmly and without exception.”

/r.e/sm/