Kosova’s Prime Minister and leader of the Self-Determination Movement, Albin Kurti, has denied the movement’s involvement in the protests in Tirana. He said it had never operated anonymously during protests and had always taken an open, leading role.

Speaking at the movement’s 64th General Council meeting, Kurti said it now governs rather than protests. He added that it would not allow others to use it for their own purposes.

Kurti said the movement follows developments in Albania with concern and responsibility. He described the country’s democratic progress as a historic national responsibility for Albanians.

He also rejected attempts to link the Self-Determination Movement to the Tirana protests. Kurti said it had been occupied with June’s election campaign and subsequent political tensions surrounding the election of the president. He stressed that the movement neither allows others to instrumentalise it nor uses others for its own purposes.

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