Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi reacted today, September 4, regarding reports of the involvement of two Military Police officers in the incident that occurred yesterday in Vlora.
Nufi has denied that the two officers are his personal bodyguards or bodyguards, explaining that they are part of the Military Police.
According to the minister, the officers have also performed security and institutional escort duties at various times, but were not on duty on the day of the incident. He emphasizes that any of their actions, if confirmed by the authorities, are individual and outside of institutional duty.
For this reason, the two officers have been suspended from service until the verifications are completed. The Ministry of Defense, according to Nufi, distances itself from any illegal action and says that responsibility will be determined only by the competent bodies.
Post by Interior Minister Ermal Nufi
The position of the Minister of Defense, Ermal Nufi, regarding yesterday's event in Vlora and the reports of several portals on the involvement of "his two bodyguards"
"Regarding the reports of several portals about the involvement of two Military Police officers in the incident that occurred yesterday in Vlora, I consider it necessary to clarify to the public that these persons are not bodyguards or personal bodyguards.
They are part of the Military Police, a structure of the Armed Forces with duties and responsibilities defined by law.
The suspected officers have been part of the Military Police since 2006 and at various times since 2018, they have also performed security, protection and institutional escort duties for the Minister of Defense, but this does not make them personal employees of the minister and, even less, does it link their individual actions to the institution or the minister.
I also want to emphasize that neither of the two officers was on duty on the day of the incident in Vlora.
Consequently, any of their actions in this event, if confirmed by the competent bodies, are individual actions and outside of institutional duty.
The Ministry of Defense clearly distances itself from any illegal action and fully respects the investigation of law enforcement agencies. Individual responsibility and the circumstances of the incident will be determined only by the competent authorities, in accordance with the law.
Until the completion of the verifications, the two officers have been suspended from service in the Military Police. The Ministry of Defense remains committed to respecting the law, discipline and professional integrity by every officer and employee of its structures. The uniform, authority and state duties cannot be used for personal purposes or outside the legal framework.
Any violation found will be treated with due seriousness and in accordance with applicable legislation.”
