FLASH
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The Director General of the State Police, Skënder Hita, held a press conference in Vlora, where he spoke about the event that occurred on May 30 in Zvërnec and the measures taken after the incident that caused numerous public reactions. Hita admitted that the way the protest was managed and the information subsequently transmitted by the local police structures was not at the required level and violated the citizens' trust in the institution.
The Police Chief announced that the director of the Vlora Police has been dismissed due to failure in managing the situation, but also for the incorrect information given publicly regarding the citizen who was forcibly taken and beaten by private security workers at the construction site. According to him, instead of reacting immediately, the Police appeared delayed and unprofessional, not preventing the incident and not identifying the perpetrators of the violence in time.
Hita also announced the establishment of a special investigative group to verify all actions taken during the protest, while the Directorate of Professional Standards has launched a disciplinary investigation into the entire chain of command of the Vlora Police. As part of the administrative verifications, he announced that violations were also found by two private security entities operating in the area, against which the removal of licenses has been decided.
The Director General publicly apologized for the incorrect information initially provided by the police and emphasized that transparency and integrity are non-negotiable for the institution he leads. He added that the Police have the obligation to guarantee the safety of protesters, but also to protect private property that has proper legal documentation.
Finally, Hita guaranteed that the investigations into the incident in Zvërnec will continue in cooperation with the Prosecution Office and the Police Supervision Agency, while the results will be made public once the process is completed.
Skënder Hita's full speech:
In accordance with the new method of communication with the media and the public, as we have announced, that I, as the General Director of the State Police, but also all the heads of local directorates and other police structures, must communicate every month through press conferences with the media and the public, today I have chosen to be in Vlora, to communicate through you, directly with the citizens and with the public opinion, on the situation created after the event of May 30, in Zvërnec, as well as on the measures that the State Police has taken and will take to guarantee legality, accountability and the professional standards that citizens expect from us.
The event that occurred, the way it was managed and the incorrect information conveyed publicly, have violated the standard that I demand from the State Police and the trust that citizens should have in our institution.
For this reason, I have taken immediate decisions in the first hours after the event and full investigative and administrative processes have been launched to establish the relevant responsibilities.
Also, today I introduced the acting director of the Vlora Local Police Directorate, Director Edvin Ndreu, who will have the important task of reorganizing and strengthening the police structures in the Vlora region, in order to serve citizens and enforce the law.
As you know, the Director of the Vlora Local Police Directorate was dismissed two days ago, due to the failure to manage the rally on May 30, in Zvërnec, but above all for the false information that was publicly conveyed, about a citizen who was forcibly taken and beaten by private security guards at the construction site.
The Vlora Local Police Directorate needs to learn the right lessons and, with all police structures under its control, it must identify the problems, as well as make the relevant proposals, whether for new administrative measures or new leadership candidacies in the directorate and police station, according to the needs.
The management of structures, situations and problems by the leaders of the subordinate directorates and police stations, integrity, transparency and service to citizens, are basic elements of evaluation for them, but also a necessity in order not to lose the trust and support of citizens.
I ask the Vlora Local Police Directorate to be as open, active and professional as possible in the service of citizens and in the implementation of the law, and not to represent itself in any way and under any circumstances before the public, with the unacceptable weakness of three days ago in Zvërnec, where the Police appeared sleepy and unprofessional, by not intervening in time to prevent the forcible seizure of the citizen or by not identifying and arresting in time the employee who punched the citizen, that force shamed us all.
Therefore, as you are aware, I have ordered since the afternoon of May 30, the establishment of a special investigative group, which will investigate all actions carried out during the protest, and I have ordered the Directorate of Professional Standards in the State Police, which has immediately launched a full and in-depth disciplinary investigation for the entire chain of command of the Vlora DVP.
In order to establish responsibilities, following the administrative actions carried out by the special group of the Department of Public Security, for the assessment of the implementation of legal responsibilities by the entities ShPSF “Myrto Security 1.3A” and ShPSF “Major Security”, it resulted that both entities were found to be in violation. For these violations, I decided to revoke the licenses of both ShPSF entities.
I have addressed the citizens with a public apology for that incorrect information, because the public's trust in the State Police is the most important value and its violation cannot be justified under any circumstances. But I want to repeat that apology here today, because Vlora and the people of Vlora deserve our greatest respect and in no way what they saw and experienced that day.
On the other hand, I want to underline again that the State Police has a legal duty to guarantee order and the safety of protesters of any nature, but it also has a legal duty to protect the integrity of any private property that possesses proper legal documentation.
Specifically, the fenced territory turns out to be private property, with regular mortgage documentation, as well as legal authorization for the fence. Therefore, I take this opportunity to address the protesting citizens to address any claims they have over the property or its development to the Court, because justice, not force, separates who has the right and who does not in a democratic system.
The investigative and administrative actions regarding the incident of May 30th continue in cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office and the Police Supervision Agency and the final results will be made known to the public.
My standard as Director General is the standard that honest citizens and the law require: a professional police force, with integrity, guarantor of the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as the life and property of citizens.
Meanwhile, the prevention of criminal events and the clarification of those that occurred previously, security during the tourist season, road safety, increased maritime safety, protection from noise pollution, dynamic follow-up of citizens' concerns and complaints, cracking down on illegal possession of weapons, environmental crimes, arresting wanted persons, preventing and cracking down on the cultivation of narcotic plants, as well as cracking down on illegal trafficking, are in focus of the work of the State Police throughout the 2026 summer tourist season.
In conclusion, I would like to address the citizens of Vlora and all of Albania:
"The State Police will be present, active and determined to guarantee order, security and law enforcement for everyone, without distinction.
No violation of the law, no violation of the public interest and no negligence in fulfilling their duty will be tolerated.
The trust of citizens is earned only through work, professionalism and integrity. This is the standard that I have demanded and will continue to demand from every police officers across the country. Those who serve citizens honestly will have my full support, and those who violate the law, professional standards, or public trust will face punishment. This is the standard I have set for myself and I will demand this standard without compromise from every police officer and officer across the country.
As we enter the peak of the tourist season, our priority remains the safety of citizens, tourists, and local communities. State Police structures will be on the ground 24/7 to prevent illegalities, respond to any concerns, and ensure a safe season for all.
Thank you and I am ready to answer your questions.
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