Albanian Minister of State for Relations with Parliament Elisa Spiropali appeared on TV on Friday to justify the actions of state police chief Ardi Veliu as smeared the mother of a 15-year old who was beaten by the police. She also defended the use of tear gas by the police during the protests that followed the demolition of the National Theater.
During an interview with ABC News, Spiropali claimed that Veliu was “stressed” when he chose to show a video of the 15-year old’s mother, in order to cast aspersions on the minor’s family morals.
When asked regarding the use of tear gas, a chemical agent that is banned in warfare, by the police against peaceful protesters, the Minister said: “Of course, what else can the police use?! Should they use sparkling water against violent protesters?!”
During the protests triggered by the demolition of Albania’s National Theater, the police exerted violence on peaceful protesters and journalists, arrested dozens, and used tear gas.
Additionally, during the opposition’s protest in 2019, the police used tear gas systematically and indiscriminately.
Under Veliu’s leadership, the police have used tear gas as the only means of dispersing crowds. Dozens of citizens, including children, senior citizens, journalists, and police officers, themselves, have needed medical treatment as a result of the effect
