The leader of the Albania Becomes movement, Adriatik Lapaj, returned tonight to protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office, immediately after the end of the opposition speech held by Sali Berisha in the same place. Lapaj's protest has been continuing for about 40 days in this space, as a sign of opposition to the government.
The night before, around midnight, numerous police forces intervened by removing the tents and chairs set up by the Albania Is Being Protesters. The intervention was accompanied by a clash between the police and the protesters, during which Adriatik Lapaj was injured in the head. Due to his condition, an ambulance was called to the scene, which transported him to the hospital for medical assistance.
From the hospital, Lapaj made a public call for another rally, inviting supporters to gather today at 7:00 PM in front of the Prime Minister's Office. The call was followed by his return to the protest, this time without the tents and heaters, which had been removed by the police during the intervention the night before.
Sitting on a chair, surrounded by dozens of supporters, Adriatik Lapaj declared that he would not back down and that the protest would continue. "This is not the republic of Edi Rama, this is the Republic of Albanians. I will continue to protest for my daughter, for my children and for all Albanians. Our ancestors fought to liberate this country, we must fight to defend Albania," he said in his speech before the Prime Minister's Office.
The Albania Is Done protest is expected to continue in the coming days, despite police interventions and tensions noted last night.
