Former Albanian Official Addresses Use of Pepper Spray During Protest
Tirana, Albania – Following the opposition protest on April 17th, former Civil Emergency Director Shemsi Prençi has addressed the use of a pepper spray deployed by law enforcement. Prençi refuted claims that tear gas was utilized, asserting that the spray was procured in Iran and carries certification. He emphasized that the product is a professional crowd dispersal tool, typically employed by operational special forces.
Prençi stated the intention was to manage the protest situation. Alongside his comments regarding the spray, Prençi raised serious concerns about police conduct during the event. He highlighted what he described as “flagrant violations” involving the assault of Democratic Party deputies.
Specifically, Prençi questioned the presence of tools held by certain protesters, noting that in instances such as that of Democratic Party activist Aulon Kalaja and others, they did not possess similar equipment. The deployment of the pepper spray occurred in an area where participants were reportedly armed with strong tools. Prençi maintained that the spray’s use aligns with established protocols, though he suggested a deviation from standard procedure was present.
Topics: #spray #pepper #protest
“It’s concerning to hear about the use of any kind of spray during a peaceful demonstration, especially given the reported events in Israel.”
What prompted the use of pepper spray during the protest?