Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party, Belind Këlliçi, has denounced the use of rubber bullets and kinetic munitions against protesters, claiming that more than 10 young people have been wounded within a few hours of protest. In a statement, Këlliçi described these tools as a “new means of terror against youth and the diaspora,” and called for the immediate cessation of their use and the withdrawal of police from clashes with protesters.
“So far, in a few hours of protest, more than 10 young people have been reported wounded by rubber bullets and kinetic devices”, Këlliçi stated, adding that these tools can cause serious and irreparable damage. He also referred to international standards on the use of force by police, stressing that rubber bullets must not be used in an uncontrolled manner against crowds.
“According to UN Directives, firing rubber bullets blindly or indiscriminately at a crowd is strictly prohibited”, said the Democratic Party deputy chairman. Këlliçi accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of seeking to suppress the student protest and demanded accountability for the way the clashes are being managed.
“He is looking for a victim, no matter whether among police or protesters, with the sole aim of the final suppression of the student protest,” he said. He then urged the prime minister to stop what he described as violence against young people and the diaspora, also calling for his resignation.
“We call on Edi Rama to immediately stop the violence against youth and the diaspora, to withdraw the narco-police, and to resign today”, Këlliçi said. He also called for a reaction from diplomatic missions and accredited ambassadors in Albania, inviting them to get involved in preventing the escalation of the situation. “Diplomatic missions and accredited ambassadors should speak out and act to prevent the black scenario”, Këlliçi concluded.