Bylykbashi: police used disproportionate force on protesters; Manja: PD protects those involved in violence

The protests of recent days became a subject of debate on Tuesday in Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee as well, where majority and opposition lawmakers traded accusations over the violence in the streets.

Opposition: investigate the chain of command

Democratic lawmaker Oerd Bylykbashi said police have used disproportionate force against protesters and called for an investigation of the entire State Police chain of command over the way the protests were managed, as well as the removal of officers who used violence. According to him, one protester has lost an eye, hundreds of people have needed medical care because of rubber bullets and arrests have been used for intimidation.

Bylykbashi said the protesters' demands are the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, a transitional government and the dissolution of Parliament.

Majority: violence against police must be condemned

Committee chair Ulsi Manja, a Socialist, said violence against the State Police must be condemned by all sides. He accused the Democratic Party of protecting people involved in acts of violence, adding that any possible overreach by police officers must be investigated.

After the debate, PD lawmakers left the meeting, continuing their stance toward committee work. Manja said the committee would go on with its agenda, including draft laws linked to Albania's European Union integration process.

Also on Tuesday, in the Human Rights Committee, Democrat Jorida Tabaku asked Interior Minister Ervin Demo and Police Director Skënder Hitaj to report on violence against protesters. PD leader Sali Berisha later said Democratic lawmakers' attendance at committees and their walkouts after statements are a decision of the parliamentary group, aimed at condemning violence against students.