The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj has called the killing of 25-year-old Klodian Rasha by a police officer after he had violated the pandemic curfew, in December, “accidental”.
During an election meeting in Kavaja, Veliaj brought up the case of Rasha, while praising the figure of Prime Minister Rama as a person “who is present when going through tough times”.
“We have been to Klodian Rasha’s family, the deceased who accidentally lost his life during that confrontation,” said Veliaj.
The murder of Klodian Rasha is being tried by the court in Tirana as premeditated murder. The police officer requested an abbreviated trial, and for the charge to be changed from premeditated murder to murder by excessive self-defense.
Klodian Rasha, 25 years old, was shot dead by the police officer of the “Shqiponja” unit in the early hours December 8.
The murder sparked week-long protests that saw significant force used against citizens, youths, and journalists. The murder and the aftermath have been singled out as an example of concerning human rights issues in the country.
During the daily protests, the Minister of Interior, Sander Lleshaj, resigned.
Rama had previously called this an accidental murder, but Klodian Rasha’s father has reacted by saying that it was a premeditated murder.
