After the Secretariat of Ethics decided to exclude 24 opposition MPs from the plenary sessions and parliamentary committees, after the incident that happened in front of the Parliament premises, with the burning of chairs, MP Dhurata Çupi reacted through a post on Facebook.

Çupi, who, according to the decision of the Secretariat of Ethics, has been excluded from parliamentary life for 40 days, wrote that the “lawless” punishment of opposition MPs is a serious act that undermines democracy.

Full statement:

“The rules of the Assembly provide that the disciplinary measure “exemption from participation in committees and/or plenary sessions UP TO 60 days” is given ONLY in cases: when the member of parliament uses pyrotechnic materials or tools, smoke, paint and other similar materials or tools inside the hall for the development of the Assembly’s work/committee meeting/within the premises of the Assembly. So the expulsion of deputies for 40-60 days can only happen in these circumstances.

The actions of the 24 deputies are public and none of them are in these circumstances. Unlawful punishment of opposition MPs is a serious act that undermines democracy. Obstructing them without law in the exercise of their mission is a crime that cannot go unpunished!”

Monday’s session lasted only 13 minutes and was interrupted due to numerous tensions. The opposition MPs initially blocked the pulpit and started throwing hard objects at the speaker.

Then they took the chairs out of the hall and burned them in the yard. This act was condemned by the majority.