
Socialist Party MP Bledi Çuçi was the next "victim" of protesters in Tirana, who went to a cafe with the chants: "Prison!", "Prison!", "You thief."
The former interior minister remained calm, only responding with the phrase: " Ik se latë nam" . What reacted was his wife,
Delina Fico, who appeared very concerned by the calls, attempted to throw water bottles at the protesters.
Today, Fico was in a live connection with the show "Albania Live" with Sidorela Gjonin where she tells what happened last night. She said that she could not hold back and became irritated when the protesters started mentioning her too.
According to Fico, the protesters had been cursing for 5 minutes before she made that reaction. And just as she picked up the water bottle to throw it at them, they immediately turned on the cameras.
Mrs. Fico condemns the violence and states that we are now in a democracy and we can go out to protest about all the grievances we have.
Excerpt from the interview:
Delina Fico: We were at a bar with friends. There were some young men who took out their cameras and called 'thief'. And then they added the woman and I got irritated. I couldn't hold back and threw a water bottle at them. Bledi and my friends told me not to consider them as they want that kind of attention. A sad event. The group was around 20 years old. I mostly addressed the girls who were there and I would like to meet them and talk to them, it's a wrong attitude. The most hurtful thing was that the group of young men were sitting on the right, while an older man was sitting on the left and directing them, himself hiding like a skunk. They were wrong and maybe I was wrong for reacting like that. Those girls and boys don't know about my work, nor about my partner's work. It's another thing to criticize and protest.
Sidorela Gjoni: Is the entire event what is reflected in the video?
Delina Fico: They were cursing for 5 minutes before I reacted, when they overdid it, especially when they included me. I live with Bledi Çuçi, but I don't deal with politics. They only broadcast the moment when I threw the water bottle.
Sidorela Gjoni: What do you think now that you see that video?
Delina Fico: I'm very sorry, I'm sad. Why do some young people allow themselves to offend you? They have their own problems, to go out in protest. I think I made a mistake by throwing bottles but I feel deeply insulted. It's not the first time something like this has happened. I have 40 years of work on my shoulders and let them judge me for what I've done in my life. They said Bledi Çuçi and the thief woman, in prison. The word woman is repeated several times and that's when I reacted. It's too much. Do you know what was more insulting? The fact that they turned on the cameras immediately, they don't do it because it comes from the heart, but they do it to film you according to the script, to appear in the media and that they are managed by the man who was there. Manipulation of the situation.
Sidorela Gjoni: What did you communicate with Mr. Çuçi?
Delina Fico: What I'm telling you. Why has it come to this? Why aren't we citizens able to express our anger where we need to? We are all citizens of this country. You have dissatisfaction with the state, go out to protest. These are fascist methods, they want to sow insecurity in the country. They could come and talk to me and tell me we are very dissatisfied. We have all the instruments to strike, protest, the hatred must end. This great hatred for the elected people is now vulgar, it doesn't lead anywhere. They are manipulated by the one who was there to incite social conflicts.
Sidorela Gjoni : Beyond the incident, what is your personal opinion about the protest?
Delina Fico : Peaceful protests have had my support since day one. I have friends and relatives who protest, it is their right. There have been people who have supported me, even those who protest because they want citizenship. Violence begets violence. Conflicts are resolved with institutions.
Sidorela Gjoni : Do you think that a person who is elected by the people should have a different reaction?
Delina Fico : Bledi is a politician, not because he is my partner, he is one of the most integrity-minded political figures. It is not the first time this has happened to him, he does not deserve to be attacked in his free time when he is with his family. Just as I do not want Bledi to speak in my name, I cannot speak in his name either.
Sidorela Gjoni: Do you regret being lynched?
Delina Fico: I am very sorry, I have said it several times, I am a woman, I live with Bled, I have my own job. I am against violence against any politician, journalist or activist. Violence is a red line in my life./ Tch