The Director General of the State Police, Skënder Hita, states that behind the acts of violence in Tirana are organizers inside and outside the country. He calls for young people not to be used in violent protests and warns of the identification and punishment of those responsible.
For almost 72 hours, Tirana has been facing acts of violence, attacks, arson and destruction of state institutions, public and private property. In an emergency communication, the Director General of the State Police stated that 71 police officers have been injured during these events, some of them with serious injuries.
Focusing on the organization of the protest and the people who, according to him, are behind the violent acts, the head of the State Police emphasized that the real organizers are located inside and outside the country.
"Behind the masks that lead the protest with an example of violence, there are not students, but individuals recruited for the dark purposes of the real organizers of this protest, inside and outside the country," Hita declared.
According to the head of the Police, the data on the people detained during the first two nights of the protest, according to his statement, does not support the claim that this is primarily a student protest.
"The fact is that of all those detained on the first night of the violent protest, none of the people were students. While of those detained on the second night, after the burning and massive looting, a very small number were students," he said.
The Director General of Police dedicated an important part of his message to protecting young people from involvement in violent acts. He called on parents, teachers and pedagogues not to allow the use of high school and university students in clashes with institutions.
"Young people have the right to protest, demand and oppose, but no one should use them as a shield to attack institutions, burn and destroy citizens' property," he stressed.
According to him, the right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution, but it cannot serve as a justification for violence, arson, robbery, or destruction of public and private property.
The Director General guaranteed institutional support for State Police employees and demanded from them professionalism, self-restraint and determination in fulfilling their duties.
He stated that any person who has used violence against police officers or damaged institutions and property will be identified and will face the law. He also announced that overtime hours will be recognized and compensated according to the law.
At the end of the communication, the head of the Police addressed directly the persons who, according to him, aim to impose their will through violence.
"Don't confuse the restraint of the State Police with weakness!"
"The police do not retreat in the face of violence. Institutions will be protected. Citizens will be protected. The law will be implemented with determination and without any exceptions," he concluded.
