Interior Minister Albana Koçiu said that the state police did not use violence during the opposition protest on January 24, although several people were injured and tear gas was used that turned out to be expired. She stressed that the police actions were in accordance with the law.
"The state police performed their duty to the best of their ability. They did not use violence against the protesters; on the contrary, the police were confronted with violence. During the rally, police officers were attacked with Molotov cocktails, pyrotechnics and hard objects in front of important institutions, and 11 of them were injured and treated in hospital. The police acted within the rules and the law, calling for an end to violence and preserving the peaceful character of the protest. When these calls were ignored and the danger became evident, the police intervened," said Koçiu.
The Minister also commented on the escorting of the minor, emphasizing that this was done in accordance with the law and solely for his safety and that of the police officers.
"During the actions of the State Police, dangerous behavior was observed by a 14-year-old minor, who was throwing stones and hard objects at the police forces. To protect the life of the minor and the police officers, he was accompanied for verification, according to the law. At no point was he treated in an illegal or inhumane manner," said Koçiu.
According to the minister, the minor was used by the opposition as a political shield. She added that democracy is not built with Molotov cocktails, attacks on institutions and violence against the police. However, the minister seems to have forgotten that the political force she is part of behaved in the same way when it was in opposition, causing January 21st, where four people were killed, and who still cry today for the lack of justice in that violent protest.
