Elisa Spiropali, Albania’s Minister of State for Parliament Relations, called protesters “thugs” with whom the government would not talk.
“One would not negotiate with thugs who burn the city,” she said during a TV show on Saturday.
The minister accused the protesters of being paid by President Ilir Meta and former opposition member of parliament Sali Berisha, who both “threated the Albanian civilization”, according to her.
“We have evidence that they were paid, there was public evidence in the ghettos where they [previous governments] have left the people and took advantage of their votes while building no schools or entertainment spots. These young people are used as cannon fodder. Ilir Meta and Sali Berisha are guilty for 30 years of [Albanian] politics. It’s not the Albanian youth, it’s just a few of them. They are being manipulated. Even in civil wars in Africa there is hesitation to use kids. Only terrorist organisations use kids,” she said.
Protests in Albania have entered their fifth day, after a policeman killed 25-year-old Klodian Rasha during coronavirus curfew hours.
Protesters accuse the government of trying to manipulate the evidence and blame the victim. Despite the resignation of Minister of Interior Sander Lleshaj On Friday, protesters are asking for the sacking of Director General of Albanian Police Ardi Veliu and the reforming of the police.
They have vandalized public buildings, trash bins and road signs, while police have responded with tear gas, water cannons and pepper spray. They have arrested more than hundred protesters, dozens of them minors. Two journalists were detained while doing their job.
In Shkoder, the only opposition-led municipality in the country, the government and mayor have accused each other for the violent protest resulting in the vandalizing of a ruling Socialist Party branch office.
On their fifth day, Sunday protests are expected to be held at 6pm across the country. They are being organized on social media, and announced by several popular accounts engaged in social and political memes.
Whilst the government accuses the youngsters of being thugs paid by the President and opposition, unlike previously, politicians have not appeared in protests so far. The opposition has condemned the government’s “hate speech” and “police brutality”.
