Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted again to the protests of recent days, focusing on the clashes between protesters and police forces.
In his statement, Rama describes as criminals the people who shoot, according to him, the officers with stones, iron bars and screws, while claiming that the masked group that he calls the "fire group" has no connection with the students and their protest.
The head of government emphasizes that the lives of young Albanians are worth more than anything else and calls on law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint.
His reaction comes after several days of protests accompanied by tensions and clashes, where cases of violence against protesters have also been reported.
Rama also focused on the material damage caused during the protests, saying that they are being repaired, but according to him, the greatest damage is of a different nature, which he promised to speak about further.
"This is one of thousands of stones picked up to be thrown at the police. It is practically a weapon that can become deadly," said Rama, referring to a stone that, according to him, was used against the officers.
The prime minister further claimed that the masked people appearing in the television footage, whom he described as a group of 200-300 people, have no connection with the students and the future of Albania, but were instigated and paid by various people.
"Those who throw stones, iron bars and screws to gouge out the eyes of the police are criminals. They are Albanian children and their lives are worth more than anything else. Self-restraint is A and Z," declared Rama.