As anti-government protests continue in Albania, the tools used by security forces to intervene against demonstrators have come to the fore.
The use of Anti-riot Vehicles (TOMA), which was reported to be Turkish-made in the images recorded in the capital Tirana, brought the security cooperation between Türkiye and Albania back to the agenda.
In the images recorded on October 18, it was seen that TOMA type vehicles donated to Albania by Türkiye were used to intervene against the protesters.
Footage from international news agencies also confirms that the Albanian police intervened with water pressurized water against the demonstrators. However, it could not be independently determined on what date and under what agreement all of the vehicles in the images were delivered.
Türkiye DONATE TOMA TO ALBANIA IN 2019
According to the records of Oryx, which monitors international transfers of military vehicles and defense equipment, Türkiye donated TOMA type vehicles produced by Katmerciler to the Albanian police in 2019.
The research published in 2021 also included photographs showing that the vehicles in question were in the inventory of the Albanian police.
Oryx's data also revealed that Türkiye's vehicle grants to Albania are not limited to TOMAs. Türkiye also provided Otokar Land Rover Defender vehicles to the country in 2013, 2015 and 2019.
ARMORED VEHICLES WERE SENT IN 2020 TOO
Türkiye donated armored vehicles and security equipment to the special intervention units of the Albanian police in January 2020.
The then Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Mehmet Ersoy, also attended the delivery ceremony held in the capital Tirana.
In his statement at the ceremony, Albanian Police General Director Ardi Veliu stated that Türkiye provided six armored vehicles, 10 Land Rovers and various security equipment.
Within the scope of the grant, gas masks, shields, bulletproof vests and other protective materials for use by police teams were also delivered.
CLAIM OF NEW TOMA SHIPMENT FROM GOOD PARTY'S ÇÖMEZ
While the protests in Albania were continuing, it was also claimed that new vehicles were sent to the country from Türkiye.
In his statement on October 19, İYİ Party Group Deputy Chairman Turhan Çömez claimed that a military transport plane belonging to the Turkish Air Force took off from Kayseri and took two TOMAs to Albania.
Çömez argued that the plane landed at Rinas Airport near Tirana and returned to Türkiye after leaving the vehicles.
Claiming that the vehicles in question were sent to intervene in anti-government protests, Çömez criticized the government and said, "Your experience in suppressing the demonstrations exceeded the limits."
PROTESTS ARE GROWING IN ALBANIA
Protests in Albania demanding improvement of educational conditions, investigation of corruption allegations and resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama have been continuing since October 13.
Violent clashes took place between the police and protesters in the demonstrations held with the intense participation of high school and university students in the capital Tirana.
While security forces intervened against the demonstrators with water pressurized, tear gas and rubber bullets, some protesters threw stones and molotov cocktails at the police.
Seven police officers were suspended from duty following allegations that excessive force was used against demonstrators.
