Democratic Party MP Agron Gjekmarkaj , who lost his life during an opposition rally in Tirana on Monday evening, reacted after being released from the hospital by telling his version of the event.
" Yesterday I was simply defending myself ," said Agron Gjekmarkaj, who added that he does not like being victimized and that he has never had any physical conflicts in his life.
Agron Gjekmarkaj's statement:
I would not have reacted as I did yesterday during the protests if the state police had not insulted me even more with their public and disinformation statement!
I do not like or seek victimization! I have never in my life sought or instigated physical confrontations! I have never attacked anyone! Yesterday I simply defended myself. Found in front of a small car with my companion, a guard employee, who was also mistreated even though I showed them my identification document, I was surrounded by a large group of police officers! I told you not to touch me, I am Agron Gjekmarkaj, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic, MP, University lecturer with gentleness almost with humor, I am not known for physical strength I do not do gym, so be careful! They pushed me brutally, with a lot of force, they even broke the mirror of the car, almost lifting me into the air! My companion pulled me with great difficulty and a boy from Lezha pulled me through the police officers as I felt my breathing slowing down! As soon as I got out of the crowd of police officers pulling me to the others, I lost consciousness! I didn't feel bad because I had health problems, but as a result of the police's actions! I didn't leave the protest because I wanted to leave, but they forced me, I didn't leave to go to a cafe or home, but to the hospital!
I remember the ferocity in the eyes of two or three police officers, their zeal like the time when opposition MPs were arrested in 1946, they thought it was unfair that someone would dare to protest against their power because they see power as their thing, why not even as an instrument of violence! However, they could not push an MP in that way without a political order!
I take advantage of this sad occasion to thank all those who are close to me, the protesters, the democrats and citizens of Lezha, the leaders and deputies of the DP, the doctors of the military hospital and those of the QSUT for the examinations and service, I thank the friendly and well-known centers from the country and the world for the flood of messages that I have received from them despite the inability to respond individually!
I express my deepest condolences to all the injured and detained who are striving for a better Albania, who did not receive the attention that I received! We are not afraid!
Today we are on Christmas Eve! May they be white for you and all Albanians! The rest will be better!
Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic
Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania!