Albania: Independent Inquiry Needed Into Protester Deaths

Prime Minister Should Refrain from Interfering in Case

January 26, 2011

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Human Rights Watch UPR Submission on Albania

The prime minister’s comments and criticism of the general prosecutor threaten an independent investigation into the protesters’ deaths. All political forces should let the prosecutor carry out a proper investigation into the conduct of the protesters and security forces.

Benjamin Ward, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch

(New York) - Prime Minister Sali Berisha of Albania should not interfere with the criminal investigation into the fatal shooting of three anti-government protesters on January 21, 2011, Human Rights Watch said today.

The three protesters were killed during violent demonstrations in the capital, Tirana, organized by the opposition Socialist Party to protest alleged corruption and electoral fraud.

Albania's general prosecutor, Ina Rama, ordered the arrest of six officers of the Republican Guard, which protects government officials and institutions, in relation to the fatal shootings. Berisha responded by accusing Rama of supporting a coup and saying the arrests "will absolutely not be carried out."...more see; ........

.http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/01/26/albania-independent-inquiry-needed-protester-deaths