3 Astiri Residents In Handcuffs

Three more residents in the New Ring Road area have been arrested by police after being accused of blocking “Teodor Keko” Street in protest.

27-year-old Eduard Ferhati, 56-year-old Tomor Gjata, and 54-year-old Ruzhdi Daci, all three of them residents of the Astir area, were placed under arrest.

The three detainees are being charged with: (1) “Organizing and participating in illegal gatherings and manifestations”, (2) “Violating public peace” and (3) “Obstructing the flow of traffic”.

Following the arrests, the Democratic Party has subsequently indicted Tirana police chiefs, claiming officers had violated protesters.

The DP demands that the prosecutor's office investigate the police officers after claiming they engaged in actions aimed to flagrantly rally the protesters; even though the protesters had already requested permission to hold a peaceful rally.

“The DP has filed a lawsuit against the State Police where they claim that for 365 days, officers have been behaving like a gang.

“There is a robbery going on at a cost of 20 million euros per kilometer. Police should prosecute the perpetrators of this robbery and stop the extortion and robbing of Albanian citizens,” said Strazimiri.

“Dozens of police officers committed a crime last night against journalists in the media.

“They were subjected to physical and psychological violence and their film materials were destroyed. They were just doing their job reporting on the protest,” said another DP representative, Albana Vokshi.

“They must identify every police officer who has raised their hand against the press. We have already sent all the evidence to the prosecutor's office based on the violations by police against citizens and those in the media.

“Some of the footage was violently destroyed by police-- some is still left, but I'm sure if the prosecution has the will, it can then find others witnesses too,” said Oriola Pampuri.

It's not the first time where an operation to arrest protesters of the New Ring Road has taken place: just a few days ago, three other protesters were arrested on the same charges.

Their arrest prompted a reaction by Astiri residents who held a rally in front of the police station where some of the incidents occurred. Nevertheless, the new amendments to the Penal Code provide that any act to impede traffic flow merits a 3-year prison sentence.

The first 3 detainees were expected to appear before a Tirana court this Saturday, but now court judges have decided to rather communicate their security measures on Sunday.