Albania: US raises alarm for Friday's protests

18. February 2011. | 07:21

Source: Alsat

According to an official declaration of the embassy, February 18 demonstration might last several days. Referring to the events of January 21, the declaration warns the US citizens to be careful this weekend.

The US Embassy warns its citizens for Friday’s protest of the Socialist Party (SP). According to an official declaration of the embassy, February 18 demonstration might last several days. Referring to the events of January 21, the declaration warns the US citizens to be careful this weekend.

“Even though there are declarations for a peaceful demonstration, we saw that the January 21 demonstration was a violent one and it resulted with the death of four persons; many others were wounded, among whom many police officers.

We remind the US citizens that even though the protest aims at being a peaceful one, it might turn into violence and it might come out of control. You should avoid them as much as possible.

Demonstrations in one city might lead to other public demonstrations in all the country. You should be vigilant and well-aware of what is happening around you and you should listen to the reports of the local media on the demonstration,” said the declaration.

The declaration said that the embassy does not have specific information on the place where the demonstration will be held, even though it has previously been organized near the parliament or the Prime Minister’s Office, or the protesters have blocked the main entrances in Tirana.

According to the US Embassy, there is information that the demonstration might last more than one day. Nevertheless, the SP informed it will organize its next protest on Friday, February 18.