The Lazarat event calls for a fast and objective investigation

Tirana, 29 October 2004

The Albanian Helsinki Committee, considering the information provided by the print and broadcast media with regard to the Lazarat event, immediately notified its correspondent in the city of Gjirokastra to observe the case closely.

The AHC correspondent contacted in the Gjirokastër hospital two individuals wounded during the happening, a village teacher Gentian Pollo and Altin Bejko, owner of the bar. The correspondent also contacted the surgeons who treated the wounded individuals as well as local police officers.

Based on the conversation with the hospital's medical personel, the correspondent found out that four wounded individuals had been brought to the hospital for treatment. Two of them had been released from hospital after receiving the necessary medication, whereas the other two, one of which was wounded with a fire weapon, still remained in hospital.

According to the initial information that was collected there appear two versions: Gentian Pollo, wounded in the bar, interviewed by the AHC correspondent, declared that the public order forces had hit him and violently taken him into the police van, and maltreated him. Altin Bejko, the bar owner, stated that he had been shot from the back with a fire weapon. 

According to a press statement of the Ministry of Public Order, the actions undertaken by the “Renea” special forces were legal, as they had been tasked to arrest individuals who were wanted, accused or convicted for committing crimes of major social danger. The press statement of the Ministry also emphasizes that the “Renea” special forces had been shot at from inside the bar where the wanted individual was and from out of the bar and that had made them counterreact with the same means.

The Albanian Helsinki Committee supports the intensification of the fight against criminality as well as the measures undertaken for its prevention. However, the AHC, like before, reiterates that every single act should be in conformity with the law and citizens' rights and freedoms should not be violated.

Without prejudice on the case, the Albanian Helsinki Committee calls on the prosecutor's office to conduct a quick and objective investigation of the happening. In this framework, it is necessary to clarify wheather the actions of the Renea forces included a surpassing of the limits of self-defense, as well as use of illegal violence.

The AHC also suggests that the results of the investigation be made clear to the public. This would have a positive impact on clarifying the circumstances in which the above happening occurred.