Albanian State Police Chief Skënder Hita says Tirana has faced nearly 72 hours of violence, arson and destruction targeting public institutions and private property. He reported that 71 police officers have been injured, some seriously.
Hita stressed that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed, but it cannot be used as a cover for violence, looting or attacks on public institutions. He also urged parents, teachers and university professors not to allow young people to be exploited for organized violence.
According to Hita, those leading violent acts behind masks are allegedly recruited individuals serving the “dark interests” of the real organizers, both inside and outside the country. He added that none of those detained on the first night of violent protests was identified as a student, while only a very small number of those detained the following night were students.
The right to protest is fundamental. But setting fires, attacking police officers and destroying public property is not peaceful protest. Young people deserve to have their voices heard—not to be exploited as instruments of violence.
