Isolated incident in Bulqizë mars otherwise calm campaign
A violent incident involving opposition MP Xhelal Mziu and his nephew was reported in Bulqizë on Wednesday, following a Democratic Party campaign event. According to police, the pair allegedly assaulted a local government official. This marks one of the very few campaign-related incidents so far in what has otherwise been a calm even sleepy, election season.
Why is this important: With just over two weeks left until the May 11 vote, the campaign has been largely uneventful and peaceful. Incidents of violence have been very rare and isolated, involving in every case representatives of the Democratic Party. Police say they have referred the matter to SPAK under charges related to violence during elections.
Context: According to the police report, the incident occurred on April 24 around 13:00, shortly after a Democratic Party event in the village of Ostren, Bulqizë. The accused, MP Xhelal Mziu and his nephew, are alleged to have punched an official at the Ostren administrative unit.
“Specialists for Crime Investigation at the Bulqizë Police Station referred materials to SPAK for the offense of ‘Threat or violence against election participants’ for Xh.M., 58, and E.M., 36, uncle and nephew, both residents of Tirana,” the statement said.
The police said the altercation took place just outside the administrative offices where the Democratic Party held its meeting.
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