The family of the eight-year-old child brutally kidnapped and murdered in Albania last week has staged a protest outside the prison in Vlore where the suspect is being held.
They gathered on Sunday, including residents and activists, to ask for justice, and demanded to enter the facility.
“I want the truth. I want justice for that damn criminal. I want to know why he killed him. We want justice,” the child’s mother told the media.
Police were on-site to keep the crowd at bay.
The child was reported missing last week, and following analysis of CCTV footage, police entered the home of a local man. He became agitated under questioning and appeared drunk before admitting he had kidnapped the child, killed him, and buried him in his yard.
Family members of the victim started a petition, calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty for crimes of this kind. They also stormed the court, where a preliminary hearing was held on Friday.
A protest was also held in Skanderbeg Square in the capital of Tirana.
As well as activists and public members, several politicians attended, including Speaker of Parliament Lindita Nikolla. She said the murder was a “serious event” and said the reinstatement of the death penalty is not the right decision.
She noted that parliament is looking at creating a register of child sex offenders and other kinds of offenders.
The accused has a history of mental health issues and a criminal record, including the kidnapping of a young woman.
Meanwhile, Bora Muzhaqi, the minister of state for youth and children, refused to answer any questions on the murder and the current situation. Instead, she told the media she was busy and had to go.
