In a statement to the media, pedagogue and member of the National Council of the Democratic Party, Ilirjana Kuçana, announced that she will pursue legal action against Taulant Balla, ABC News and Sokol Balla, claiming that they have defamed and damaged her public image.
Kuçana denied the accusations that she had carried gas canisters during the protest and that she had been escorted to the police station, stating that these allegations had damaged her image.
"I am a teacher and I spread knowledge," said Kuçana, who accused Taulant Balla of having connections with his sister's call centers and described Sokol Balla as "Belinda Balluk's ATM."
Excerpt from the statement:
Hello everyone, today we are before the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime in Tirana.
With the request for trial, victim accuser, I, in my capacity as a teacher, Ilirjana Kuçana, will today report Taulant Balla, ABC News television, and Sokol Balla, for defamation and damage to the public image, for insult.
The slanders that have been circulating in my name these days, that I am the one who was carrying gas canisters, that I was escorted to Police Station No. 1 and held for 8 hours, let me tell you that not only did I not incite violence, but I am a teacher and I spread knowledge, unlike Taulant Balla, who teaches young people how to cheat in his sister's call centers, unlike Sokol Balluku, who is Belinda Balluku's ATM, who has just been admitted to SPAK. (...) I am a teacher, who protects my students and I am very happy that I have protected those boys and those girls and I will do it every day of my life.
Let me tell you that during my escort to police station no. 1, I was not allowed to make even a phone call, a phone call that even criminals are allowed to make, that even thieves and bandits are allowed to make. I was not allowed to make a phone call, and my daughter found out from her friends that her mother was at the police station. (…)
Let me tell you, I am in that protest in the capacity of a teacher and I am in the duty that is incumbent on me to do, not only me, but every teacher and every educator should do it. We must be there on the front lines to protect our children. They are our children as long as I have the children in the auditorium. I consider them my children and I will protect them with my life.
I say to Taulant Balla, I am not afraid of your blackmails or your stagings. Taulant, I am not afraid of anything in the face of this revolt. This is the revolution of the eagles, Taulant, I am in the square, while you, Taulant, will be in the cell, so I invite you to come to court together with ABC News and Sokol Kyçi, to prove what you have slandered against me, I am waiting for you in court.
If you can't come to court because we have other criminal cases, such as the SPAK case where you are accused of corruption, I invite you to come to the square. Taulant can come to the square with the students.
Can Sokol come to the square with the students? Come to the square and talk to the students there. If you can't come to the square, I invite you to the television media of your choice, come and confront us and fact-check everything.
The truth must come out before the Albanians. You are left with only ABC News. Taulant, last night you were with Sokol Kyçi, discussing the troubles of the seat of power, but allow me to say that you should be here. This is your place Taulant, and the file that came from abroad about your sister's call centers, you should be your place is in the cell Taulant, while my place is in the square , "said Kuçana in her statement.