Vaggelis Tavos, Greek minority member of the Albanian Parliament (and a member of the coalition of Prime Minister Edi Rama's government), has reported to the government of Albania that the Greek minority villages around Gjirokaster (Argyrokastro) in the south of the country have been living in fear the last few days which saw an increase in cases of brazen organized thefts and vandalism targetting the homes of the Greek minority.
According to Tavos, these new cases of widespread theft started occurring two days ago. This time, unlike in the past, Albanian criminals were not satisfied in simply damaging homes, but were breaking and entering with the intent of robbing and looting.
The Greek minority is living in fear the last few days. They feel that no one can offer to protect them, not even the Albanian police force which is turning a blind eye and allowing the organized crime wave to continue.
The police force in Albania's south is purely political. Instead of taking concrete action, it has stayed passive and almost non-existent in this climate of fear. The Albanian police force is more interested in offering protection to criminals involved in the international hashish trade than to stop the crimes targetting the Greek minority members, stated Tavos emphatically to Albanian media.
Tavos has demanded that the Albanian Public Order Minister take immediate action to remove the Police Director of Gjirokaster (Argyrokastro) since the thefts are increasing and burglars act without punishment. Residents have reached the point of fearing their own shadow.
The crime wave which have taken place in the last few days have occurred in the villages of Dropoli and Dervitsani located just 10 minutes from the Greek-Albanian border and populated mainly by Greeks.
They primarily target houses when no one is home by breaking through heavy iron bars on doors and windows. They grab everything, including electrical appliances.
Four days ago, the Albanian police claim to have arrested two people. However, despite the arrest, the crime wave targetting the Greeks of southern Albania continues.
Source: Himara (1), Himara (2)
According to Tavos, these new cases of widespread theft started occurring two days ago. This time, unlike in the past, Albanian criminals were not satisfied in simply damaging homes, but were breaking and entering with the intent of robbing and looting.
The Greek minority is living in fear the last few days. They feel that no one can offer to protect them, not even the Albanian police force which is turning a blind eye and allowing the organized crime wave to continue.
The police force in Albania's south is purely political. Instead of taking concrete action, it has stayed passive and almost non-existent in this climate of fear. The Albanian police force is more interested in offering protection to criminals involved in the international hashish trade than to stop the crimes targetting the Greek minority members, stated Tavos emphatically to Albanian media.
Tavos has demanded that the Albanian Public Order Minister take immediate action to remove the Police Director of Gjirokaster (Argyrokastro) since the thefts are increasing and burglars act without punishment. Residents have reached the point of fearing their own shadow.
The crime wave which have taken place in the last few days have occurred in the villages of Dropoli and Dervitsani located just 10 minutes from the Greek-Albanian border and populated mainly by Greeks.
They primarily target houses when no one is home by breaking through heavy iron bars on doors and windows. They grab everything, including electrical appliances.
Four days ago, the Albanian police claim to have arrested two people. However, despite the arrest, the crime wave targetting the Greeks of southern Albania continues.
Source: Himara (1), Himara (2)