This Tuesday marks 14 years since the January 21 protest, which spiraled out of control and resulted in the deaths of four individuals while many others were injured during its conclusion.
The demonstration was organized by the Socialist opposition, led by Edi Rama, while Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party (DP) was the Prime Minister at the time, governing in coalition with Ilir Meta’s Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI). The January 21, 2011 protest was called after the release of a video involving Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta and Minister Dritan Prifti.
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted on social media on this 14th anniversary with a post that included the saying, “Justice delayed but not forgotten.”
Rama’s Post:
“January 21: ‘Justice delayed but not forgotten,’ as the saying goes. Today, those delaying justice for January 21 should remember that the children of the martyrs are becoming parents themselves, still waiting for justice…”
It should be noted that the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg paved the way for investigations by SPAK, registering a criminal proceeding on July 15, 2024. This followed a decision by the Supreme Court concerning three criminal offenses: “Murder under other qualifying circumstances,” committed in collaboration, against two or more individuals, and in a manner dangerous to the lives of many; “Abuse of office,” committed in collaboration; and “Actions obstructing the discovery of truth,” committed in collaboration.
The criminal proceeding is registered in connection with the killing of Aleks Nika and the wounding of three other protesters—Artes Dybeli, Ilia Qesko, and Ilia Papa.
On January 21, 2011, Ziver Veizi, Aleks Nika, Hekuran Deda, and Faik Myrtaj were killed. The Tirana Prosecution Office indicted former commander of the National Guard, Ndrea Prendi, and special unit leader Agim Llupo, who were sentenced in 2013 for “negligent homicide”—Prendi receiving a one-year prison sentence, and Llupo, three years.
SPAK has initiated interrogations related to the January 21 case. So far, individuals questioned include former General Director of State Police Hysni Burgaj, his deputy Agron Kuliçaj, and Socialist Party MP Xhemal Qefalia.
