Prime Minister Edi Rama, in today's meeting with Tirana MPs, spoke about the demolition campaign against unauthorized buildings in Theth.
Edi Rama: I want to dwell on the issue of Theth by addressing several points of view. It should be very clear to everyone what our approach is and what our position will be going forward. I have noticed that there is a very unfortunate theory regarding responsibility and guilt. It seems as if some of those who comment are trying to shift the blame to state structures.
On one hand, we have some poor people who have given up their livelihood to build some houses and a state that has let them do this in violation of the law and then remembered to hit them. It is not about some poor people, but individuals who are in a significant part not residents of the country, individuals who have not even appeared to claim anything and the State Police is investigating how it happened and who is behind the criminal occupation of the heart of Theth. It is about constructions not for show, but for profit purposes.
I don't know if there is any theory that amnesties the lawbreaker, the structures have their responsibility. It remains to be seen what the KLP will do for Mrs. Gjeli who has refused to even start an investigation. In Theth, 40 subjects were hit, there were also two and three. The State Police has a considerable number related to these subjects and the prosecution has not taken any. The Municipality of Shkodra has taken its responsibility.
The other thing I want to emphasize is that a priest surprisingly brought it up. I was surprised how a man of God spoke about this story, as if we seduced them, lied to them and broke their trust. We have not broken anyone's trust. We promised to legalize old houses, we have concluded that process. We did not say give us the vote and build without a permit. These are constructions that were done in recent months, not during the time we were there.