Brikena Metaj, the mother of student Klevi Metaj, who was arrested after the October 13 protest in Tirana, has recounted the circumstances in which, according to her, her son was involved in a clash with the police. The journalist stated that her son was hit and insulted by an officer while he was walking on the sidewalk, claiming that his reaction was instinctive.
In a statement to News24 in front of the Tirana Court, where security measures for the arrested protesters were being reviewed, Metaj said that the family had learned of the arrest through a phone call from a former school friend of Klevi, who had seen the footage on television.
According to her, the family initially were unaware that the boy was at the protest, as they thought he was at home resting after a night shift at work.
The student's mother has raised questions about the way her son was intervened, emphasizing that any police action must be carried out in accordance with the law and without using unjustified violence.
She claims that Klevi was walking on the sidewalk when a police officer approached him from behind, hit him, and insulted him, which, according to her, caused the young man's immediate reaction. These claims remain the family's version of the incident.
Brikena Metaj described her son as a calm, fair and honest young man who tries to combine academic commitments with work. She said that just a week ago she had attended the graduation ceremony of her twin children.
Klevi Metaj's case has attracted attention during youth protests, while his mother expressed hope that the situation will find a just resolution.
Klevi Metaj is one of the protesters for whom the Tirana Court has imposed the security measure of "house arrest", following the October 13 rally in front of the Ministry of Education.
