Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that he had personally arranged medical treatment in Italy for the young man from Elbasan who suffered an eye injury during protests. He also secured an air ambulance to transport the youth to what he described as Italy’s best hospital.

Rama warned that violent protests put demonstrators and bystanders at risk. He also accused a figure with a history of arson and bloodshed of playing a role in the unrest.

“I feel deeply sorry whenever anyone suffers a physical injury, even a violent protester,” Rama said. “But how can anyone prevent injuries when violence defines a protest?”

He called the young man’s injury a wake-up call, especially for those who incite violence through television and social media. Rama accused them of exploiting criminals, uninformed young people and even minors to fuel unrest.

Addressing those using the youth’s eye injury to encourage further violence, Rama accused them of contributing to his suffering. He said their actions reflected a longstanding effort to undermine Albania whenever the country made progress.

“Albania’s light today shines far brighter than their darkness,” Rama said. He added that those who resort to violence, arson and destruction were losing public support. He warned that Albanians would not forgive those responsible.

/a.c/