Basha and Berisha hold simultaneous press conferences on the January 8 protest – Release
Democratic Party (PD) Chairman Lulzim Basha and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha held simultaneous press conferences to discuss today’s protest at the PD headquarters.
Basha invited the Albanian media to visit the headquarters to assess the damage caused today by protesters. He then held a press conference where he condemned Berisha for the violence his supporters had shown at the event, saying that Berisha was using the few PD members who supported him as a front.
He also condemned the Albanian police, saying they took too long to react to the situation. Police intervened more than an hour into the protest as protesters tried to enter the building using hammers to smash windows and doors.
Responding to questions from Albanian journalists, Basha denied allegations that his supporters used tear gas and other weapons against Berisha supporters.
Meanwhile, at his own press conference, Berisha said police intervention was unnecessary as the protest was largely peaceful.
He also condemned the police for arresting more than a dozen people who participated in the protest.
Once again, he warned that there would be further protests to retake the PD seat and the entire party.