Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended Parliament’s decision not to lift MP Belinda Balluku’s immunity while SPAK investigates her. He said the government did not obstruct justice but sought to protect it from bias.

Rama addressed the issue during a virtual exchange with a student protester. He also criticised recent protests and accusations against former Socialist ministers under investigation by SPAK.

“Are you a prosecutor, a judge or a student?” Rama asked.

He warned the student against making collective accusations by listing names. “This country has suffered greatly from the ‘deadly’ idols of that professor, who is teaching you the wrong lessons,” he said.

Rama insisted that the government had not shielded Balluku from justice. Instead, he argued, Parliament had acted to prevent what he called a biased decision.

“Our refusal to approve another arrest without trial did not stop SPAK from pursuing its investigation and expanding the charges,” he said.

The student also cited the conviction of former Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri. Rama criticised the reference, noting that Tahiri had served his sentence. He again warned the student against what he described as misleading arguments.

Asked whether he bears constitutional responsibility for the ministers he appoints, Rama said his political duty was to ensure that neither he nor the governing majority protected officials facing charges.

“Show me a prime minister or president in a democratic country who bears any other form of personal responsibility than the one I have described,” he said.

Rama also acknowledged that he may have made mistakes in choosing ministers. He said he had appointed more than 60 ministers over 13 years and could not rule out poor choices.

He closed the exchange by urging young protesters to choose dialogue over violence.

“Do not be afraid of dialogue. Distance yourself from stones and fire,” Rama said.