Activists of the Alliance for the Protection of the Theater have protested again on Monday in front of the Ministry of Interior, where they demanded the resignation of Police Director Ardi Veliu.
At the weekend, journalist Ergys Mertiri and activists Donald Martini, Astrit Seranaj, and Gentian Hasani were detained for several hours without charge. They reported the use of physical violence against them during detention.
Those detained were members of the Alliance for the Protection of the National Theatre which protested against its demolition for almost two years. They also organised the protest and made several demands.
- Measures are taken against the State Police and those who used unjustified violence. These measures should include their dismissal and criminal proceedings.
- The dismissal of and criminal proceedings against General Director of the State Police Ardi Veliu.
- Restructuring of the State Police so it’s returned to citizens
The protestors accused the government of governing with police violence and using it to suppress the rights of citizens.
Over the last two weeks, four journalists have been detained by Albanian police while working. They reported being assaulted, having footage deleted and being forced to sign statements they did not write as a condition of being released. Others reported slight injuries and damaged equipment from tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannons used to disperse protestors during protests against the murder of Klodian Rasha by a policeman.
