Speaking at a meeting with the heads of Albania’s banking sector, Rama said the authorities had been aware of the risk of provocations that could prompt disproportionate reactions from the State Police and security personnel guarding state institutions.

“We were fully aware of this. We also neutralised a drone attack involving explosives targeting the Prime Minister’s Office. However, this awareness meant that a very clear red line was established for everyone,” Rama said.

The Prime Minister criticised allegations of disproportionate use of force by the police, referring to data showing that a higher number of police officers had been injured during protests in Albania.

“In France, the ratio is one to 2.5, meaning one injured police officer for every 2.5 injured protesters or members of the public. In Italy, the ratio is one to two. In other protests I presented yesterday, in Spain and Germany, the ratio has reached one to four, one to five and even one to six,” he said.

Rama stressed that the ratio in Albania was the opposite, with two out of every three people injured being police officers, alongside protesters and innocent passers-by.

“The police are there to defend themselves, and anyone who claims to have been there peacefully should leave and distance themselves from those throwing stones and those wearing masks, rather than follow them. The police do not enter a crowd to perform ballet, but to hit back at those attacking them,” Rama said.

Rama said the wearing of face coverings during protests would be treated as a legal offence. He added that tear gas would not be needed if demonstrators refrained from violence and property damage.

Referring to young people involved in violent incidents, Rama said some had been manipulated and abandoned.

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