Arbitrary action and violence must be condemned

These recent days  the daily press and television  has reported that police officials of the  district of Mat have used violence to the detriment of Behar's brothers,  Ali and Mirian Bedolli, residents in Mat. As regards this case , Behar Bedolli's wife has also addressed a letter of complaint to the Albanian Helsinki Committee through which she complains that during the evening of August 24, 2003, police forces have arbitrarily entered into her house and at the presence of the family members have exerted violence on her husband, Behar by striking him with heavy objects. Afterwards they took him from the house, and as a result of his serious physical state, Behar was sent to the hospital in Burrel. Later he was accompanied by police forces from the hospital to the police station, without being completely treated medically. According to the afore-mentioned data, it is made public that the other Behar's brothers, Ali and Mirian have also been maltreated by the police.
 

Albanian Helsinki Committee esteems as necessary to point out that based on the law, no violence must be used against the person charged of committing a penal act and towards whom the Court has decided house arrest, even though he violates the restrictions defined by the court. In such cases the revocation of the court decision can be asked for.

AHC meticulously assesses the citizens complaints as well as the data of the print or electronic media, but in no case it can be biased about cases subject to investigation or judgement. This is the reason that we turn to competent bodies of the Prosecutor's Office and Ministry of the Public Order, in order this case is examined speedily and objectively by clarifing not only the circumstances but also holding responsible the people in charge. AHC also suggests that due to transparency effects, within the limits prescribed by law, the State Police on its part shall make public  the measures taken to reestablish the violated right.

Tirana, September 3, 2003