Top US Official Backs Role of Albania Prosecutor

US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg held meetings with top Albanian officials in Tirana on Friday, supporting the role of the general prosecutor as she probes the January 21 unrest that left four people dead.

Besar Likmeta

Tirana

In a press conference after meeting with Albania’s political leaders, Steinberg underlined the need for politicians to respect the constitution and rule of law, as prosecutors lead an investigation into the January 21 events.

"Your constitution provides for an independent investigative process through the Prosecutor General and we think it is very important that the independence of that investigation be protected," Steinberg said.

“I appreciate the commitment that the Prosecutor General made to making sure that the investigation is comprehensive and as independent as possible," he added.

General Prosecutor Ina Rama has been the target of unprecedented verbal attacks by the ruling majority over the last four weeks, despite US and EU calls for an independent investigation.

The US official met with President Bamir Topi, Prime Minister Sali Berisha, opposition leader Edi Rama, Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto and General Prosecutor Ina Rama.

Albania has been facing renewed political crisis since the violent clashes between state security forces and protesters in Tirana.

The protest of January 21 turned into a riot when several hundred anti-government protesters attacked the police barricade set up to protect the prime minister’s office, using sticks, stones and Molotov cocktails.

Police responded with tear gas, water cannons and later with live ammunition fire, leaving four dead and dozens wounded.

Prosecutors are currently investigating the murders, the organisers of the protest and the violent demonstrators that attacked the police.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha claims that his government is the victim of a failed coup attempt, part of the January 21 protests, orchestrated by the Socialists, the president, the secret service, the general prosecutor and four journalists.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Edi Rama accuses Berisha of turning a peaceful protest into a bloodbath and attacking any institution that does not agree with his version of the facts.

The recent tension between Rama’s Socialists and the ruling majority of Prime Minister Berisha has aggravated an already poisoned political climate which has been in a troubled state since the disputed June 2009 parliamentary elections.