Albania’s State Police has publicly responded following the October 5 incident in Tirana, where journalist Bledi Mane was hit with eggs by protesters. According to the official version, police structures are carrying out procedural actions to clarify the circumstances, identify the persons involved, and refer the case to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Official response after the incident in Tirana
In its statement, the State Police said it is working to fully clarify the incident that took place on October 5 in the capital. According to police, the focus remains on identifying the people involved and following the legal procedures for the case.
The response came after journalist Bledi Mane was attacked with eggs by protesters, an episode that has revived debate over the boundary between protest and violence against individuals in public spaces.
Police condemn violence, but stress the limits of protest
According to the official statement, police condemn any act of violence, threat, or intimidation against citizens, while recognizing the constitutional right to peaceful protest.
However, the institution stresses that this right, under the law, cannot be used to target or attack other citizens because of their opinions and beliefs.
“No one can take the law into their own hands”
In its public position, the State Police said that no one can decide on their own who should be punished and carry this out in the street.
According to police, enforcement of the law is the exclusive responsibility of state institutions, wording that comes as it remains to be seen whether the investigation will produce concrete accountability for those behind the incident.
The case is expected to be passed to the Prosecutor’s Office
Police called on citizens to avoid confrontations and not respond to violence with violence. It also stressed that any person who feels threatened or intimidated should turn to police structures.
According to the notice, every complaint will be handled in accordance with the law, while the case concerning the incident involving Bledi Mane is expected to be referred to the Prosecutor’s Office.
At the end of its response, the State Police declared that it would protect equally both the citizen who protests and the one who thinks differently.
It remains to be seen whether this public stance will be accompanied by the swift identification of the people involved and by concrete procedural steps beyond the official statement.