Xhelal Mziu, a candidate representing the opposition Democratic Party in Albania, and his nephew were reportedly involved in an alleged altercation on Thursday following an election-related gathering in the village of Ostren, located in the Bulqiza region.
The incident has led to accusations of violence from a local official overseeing economic assistance programs. The official has reportedly filed a formal complaint with Albania’s Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) alleging threats or violent behavior directed at individuals involved in the electoral process. Police sources indicate that Mziu and his nephew physically assaulted the official after the political meeting.
Conversely, local officials from the Democratic Party have stated that the aforementioned official attempted to intimidate attendees at their event by threatening to cut off their economic aid. These party representatives further claimed that during the ensuing dispute, members of the ruling Socialist Party also assaulted the Democratic Party’s local chairman.
Mziu has since issued a response, disputing the police version of events. Mziu contends that local operatives of the Socialist Party are actively threatening citizens to discourage their participation in Democratic Party rallies.
