Fiks Fare has exclusively interviewed 22-year-old Klevi Metaj, who was confronted by six police officers several days ago during the students’ protest in front of the Ministry of Education.
Handcuffed in his bed at the Trauma Hospital, Klevi says the police spotted him and chased him for several minutes, repeatedly striking him.
Although the Tirana Court imposed on him the security measure of “house arrest,” Klevi remains in the hospital, and two State Police officers are stationed in his room. He says he currently has no serious physical injuries as he recounts the entire episode in detail.
The student says his reaction, which was captured on video and turned into memes on social networks, came in response to the police’s continuous provocations, which used whatever means they had.
“I was far away at first and was supporting people. Then they intervened with stones, with tear gas and so on. People scattered. I looked around me, and those who had stayed behind had opened up their ranks,” says Klevi.
He adds that everyone was moving quickly because they could not endure the tear gas.
“And when the police in riot gear came, I saw that only I had stayed there. I threw stones at them with everything I had, because I got angry that they had thrown that tear gas at us. One of them hit me… I was trying to run away, I was going to run to the square, and one of them hit me and struck me in the legs with a baton. Don’t hit me, I told him, don’t hit me. I kept running. Then he hit me even harder, in the back. I got angry and hit one of them with whatever objects were nearby. And they left their post together with their boss, I’m here,” says the student.
He further says that both sides made mistakes. “It can’t be resolved this way. These are complicated matters. If we had a long-standing grudge against these people (he is referring to the prime minister), they should not have voted for him at all. And he throws that punch. Here, they are all corrupt, and it can’t be solved with a protest. A protest means telling them, look, you can’t do what you want,” he adds.
The 22-year-old says a concrete solution is needed, while casting doubt on the involvement of politics in the protest. “I understand. If you are there, you want something concrete, because what will be resolved by destroying things? At first the police were just standing and watching, there were 2-3 of them. Now these people started throwing eggs, and when they armed themselves a bit more, they started throwing stones for no reason. From that moment on, out of adrenaline, they take on anyone who stands in front of them,” he says further.
Klevi also shows us the documents from the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office case file. There is a host of charges: property destruction, assault on an official in the line of duty, disturbing public order, organizing and participating in unlawful gatherings and demonstrations. Even the biggest criminals do not face these charges. The charges continue: producing, possessing, buying or selling edged weapons without a permit. A large criminal file.
Not only these charges, but the 22-year-old has 2 police officers in his room. No one protects politicians accused of corruption. Not at home and not in the hospital. Not only the police, but they also put handcuffs on the student, in the hospital bed. In the end, after talking with him, the police officers staying in the room tell him he faces 5 years in prison. Those who have stolen millions of euros or face serious charges do not risk 5 years in prison. /TCH