The Tirana Local Police Directorate has reacted with an official statement to the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, as the latter demanded accountability for the failure to take security measures during the protest of Erion Veliaj's supporters in front of the court, while the mayor was being sentenced to "prison arrest".
In response, the police say that the protest was spontaneous and posed no danger, however, it is noted that 77 police forces were on the ground.
"Reaction of the Tirana Local Police Directorate.
Regarding the letter forwarded and made public by the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, regarding the situation of 12.02.2025, regarding the building of the Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, the Tirana Local Police Directorate informs that:
First, this is an unprecedented practice for law enforcement agencies to communicate through the media, while institutional channels of communication have been not only more than sufficient, but also fully efficient. Given the nature and goals of our joint work, institutional communication is a necessity.
Secondly, the facility where the Prosecutor's Office and the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime operate is guarded and protected by the Guard of the Republic of Albania, according to the provisions of Law No. 33/2021 "On the Guard of the Republic of Albania", article 12, point 2, letter "d", as well as Council Decision No. 507, dated 27.07.2022, "On an addition to Council Decision No. 597, dated 13.10.2021, "On the determination of personalities and other objects, which are guarded and protected by the Guard of the Republic of Albania", point 1.
Specifically, we clarify that on 11.02.2025, the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, with letter no. 14 addressed to the Tirana DVP, requested the escort on 12.02.2025, of citizens E. V and EA, from the premises of the Tirana Security Block to the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, as a court hearing would be held to verify the conditions for the implementation of the security measure.
Based on the request of the Special Court, the responsible structures of the Tirana Local Police Directorate in support and implementation of the Standard Working Procedure “Treatment and security of persons arrested/detained in the premises of the State Police, recording and resolving their requests/complaints” approved by Order No. 1720, dated 20.11.2023, of the General Director of the State Police and the Standard Working Procedure “Treatment and security of persons arrested/detained in the “Security Room Block” of the Tirana DVP, recording and resolving their requests/complaints” approved by Order No. 502 dated 09.05.2022, of the General Director of the State Police, drafted the service order dated 12.02.2025, for the escort of detainees/arrested persons, taking the necessary measures and planning the necessary police services.
The escort and arrival at the Special Court premises was registered in the Management and Direction Room without any problems.
We emphasize that the State Police has not received any notification from individuals or entities, and has not collected any information or data about possible gatherings near the SPAK building. Under these conditions, no plan of measures has been drafted, but the Tirana Local Police Directorate has assessed the situation and taken measures, reacting in time, with the engagement of a considerable number of employees.
At 08:25, near the intersection of the roads leading to the SPAK building and its entire perimeter, the services of the General Patrol, Community Policing Specialist Assistant, Crime Investigation Specialist, Special Operations Specialist Assistant, Traffic Police services, and the “Eagle” Special Forces were added. As part of the commitment to maintaining public order and security during the court session, a total of 77 police officers were engaged. Throughout the entire time, these forces were under the direction of the Chief of Police Station No. 3, as well as other leaders of the relevant structures, while the Chief of the Security and Escort Sector was deployed inside the Court.
The court session began calmly, continued normally and ended without any problems. No concerns were raised with the police services, neither by the Republic Guard within the premises of the Special Court, nor by prosecutors, judges and lawyers, nor was any assistance requested to establish order and security in the internal or external premises of the Court.
The Tirana Police Department emphasizes that it has not received any written or verbal notification, or phone call addressed to the Management and Direction Room at the Tirana Local Police Directorate, where employees of the Republic Guard or any other entity have reported a violation of public order and security, or other illegalities near and around the Special Court building.
Referring to the Law on "Assemblies" No. 8773 dated 23.04.2001, Article 2, point 5 determines that: "Assemblies" are understood as gatherings, manifestations, meetings and parades of a peaceful and unarmed nature, in which a group of people express their demands and views on problems in which they are interested, and also includes urgent gatherings.
*When groups of people gather spontaneously and do not violate public order, their activity is not included in the definition of a gathering*
As has been established, citizens gathered spontaneously on February 12th and without violating public order, therefore, for these reasons, the standard procedure for gatherings was not applied for the establishment of a police cordon, which is placed in the restricted area for gathering, which in this specific case would not only be unnecessary but also impossible, because the gathering of citizens was spontaneous and unannounced.
In the cases of other gatherings referred to in the letter that was also made public, we would like to inform you that they were previously announced gatherings, for which there was information not only about the place of gathering but also about the tendency of the protesters to use force, so as a result, the standard procedure of limiting the perimeter and establishing a police cordon was implemented according to the Plan of Measures, drafted for gatherings announced by the organizers or for which certain information about their development was provided.
We also emphasize that no problems have been reported with the Police services located near the perimeter of the Special Court and SPAK regarding the obstruction of the movement of judges, prosecutors or other administration employees.
Regarding cooperation with the Guard of the Republic, there can be no doubt that the State Police is and will remain fully cooperative, coordinating actions and exchanging information regarding the security of personalities or objects in the Guard's custody, as in fact happened with the entry of a female individual with disabilities within the perimeter, who was accompanied and processed according to the law by the Police.
Despite this, referring to the allegations in the aforementioned letter, the Directorate of Professional Standards has initiated an administrative investigation to assess the measures taken by the responsible authorities and to individualize the responsibility of each police structure engaged in this service, in case any shortcomings are found.
Finally, the State Police emphasizes that it is maximally committed to cooperation and interaction with every law enforcement institution, to guarantee public order and security and protect the life and health of justice officials in fulfilling institutional duties," concludes the Tirana Police response. (A2 Televizion)
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