CEC surrounded by police

18/05/2011 20:10

Due to the protest that the Albanian opposition announced to hold in
front of the Central Election Commission, the police surrounded the
building with more than 1000 agents which are still guarding the
building’s perimeter.

Socialist supporters and deputies approached the building of the Central Election Commission. After 11:30 they clashed with the police at the front gate, trying to enter the CEC premises.

Opposition deputies, like Taulant Balla, Paulin Sterkaj, Tom Doshi and Armando Prenga clashed with the police during these entering efforts. Some of them passed the police cordon that surrounded the institution.

Besides the Police forces from six Tirana Police Departments, there were also plainclothes agents. In support of the Tirana Police, there were agents from Shkoder, Fier, Vlore and other cities.

Contacted by Top Channel, police officials said that there were 500 police agents guarding the Central Election Commission, but unofficial sources speak of 1000 agents, some of them also coming from the RENEA special team.

When asked by Top-Channel if it was necessary and legal calling in the RENEA forces, Police said that they should act if the situation would get out of control.

The tense situation has continued for some time after noon, until the crowd left. Right after them, the Police also reduced the forces. At this moment, a considerable number of agents was filmed coming out of the stadium, where they had been staying out of sight.

But this pause lasted only one hour for the police agents. They turned back, even with reinforcements and also equipped with protective shields.

Top Channel