TIRANA, June 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to comments by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, who shared a video of the ongoing protest in Tirana against the planned investment project in Zvërnec.

In a social media post, Rama said Iranian authorities had joined a protest that, according to him, had moved beyond environmental concerns and now included political demands. He also warned against what he described as misinformation and half-truths surrounding the debate.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said Albania must avoid actions that could discourage foreign investment and weaken its competitive position in tourism.

Rama accused Iran of interfering in the discussion and rejected any criticism regarding sovereignty. He said Albania would not accept lessons on sovereignty from a government whose operatives, according to Albanian authorities, carried out cyberattacks against public institutions. He noted that those incidents led Albania to sever diplomatic relations with Iran.

In addition, Rama contrasted Albania’s democratic system with Iran’s political model. He said Albanian citizens can protest freely, criticize the government and express political views without fear of punishment.

The prime minister also accused the Iranian regime of repression and censorship. Finally, he argued that online manipulation and disinformation campaigns would not influence Albanian public opinion, adding that Albanians can distinguish democratic debate from propaganda.

/a.p./