Tirana, June 19, 2013
Tens of young people have gathered on Wednesday afternoon in the center of Tirana, by protesting in favor of the protestors in Turkey who have been expressing their anger against Prime Minister Erdogan in the past few days.
Organizers of the protest claim that at least three young people have been arrested by Police of Tirana, while they were protesting in Mother Teresa square to show solidarity with protestors in Turkey.
The arrests were made at the moment when a new political movement, Movement for a New Albania, led by the businessman Edmond Vlashaj, owner of a private university in Tirana, was holding at the same time another rally in support of Erdogan in “Martyrs of the Nation” Boulevard, a few meters away.
“Police dragged the young people and beat them”, said a witness on the scene.
These young people held “Down with fascism” banners on their hands.
Lawyers Dorjan Matlija and Andi Kananaj who are organizers of the protest against Erdogan, have presented themselves at the Police Directorate of Tirana, where they claim that police has continued to use psychological and physical violence against the three arrested people.
Tens of young people have gathered before Tirana Police Directorate in order to protest about the police arrests.
Meanwhile, the Movement for a New Albania has organized a rally in support of the Prime Minister of Turkey, Erdogan.
The leader of this party, Mr. Edmond Vlashaj said that Mr. Erdogan is a great leader who has turned his service for common people into a source of inspiration for everyone, adding that he has and will have the support of the Albanian people.
Mr. Vlashaj’s speech concluded with the chant: “Go on Recep Tayp Erdogan! Don’t back off! Albanians are on your side and on the side of the Turkish brotherly people!” /ibna/