Suela Mehdini, a representative of the Albanian diaspora in Milan, says the Zvërnec incident was a turning point that triggered stronger protests against the Albanian government among Albanians living in Italy and elsewhere abroad.
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| Speaking on News24, Albanian diaspora representative Suela Mehdini stated that the Zvërnec incident served as a critical turning point for overseas communities. She emphasized how the event sparked solidarity protests across Milan and beyond in support of the demonstrations in Tirana. Looking ahead, a delegation from the Milan diaspora plans to take their concerns directly to the European Parliament in September. |
Suela Mehdini: “Zvërnec Shocked Us”
Mehdini said the events in Zvërnec became a catalyst for mobilization among members of the Albanian diaspora.
“What we saw in Zvërnec shocked us and made us stand up in Milan and beyond,” Suela Mehdini said during the News24 program.
According to Mehdini, diaspora groups have organized protests in several public squares, seeking to draw international attention to the concerns being raised by protesters in Albania.
She argued that the involvement of the diaspora has had an impact on the ongoing demonstrations in Tirana and has also helped bring the issues raised by Albanian protesters to an international audience.
Milan Albanian Diaspora Supports 76 Days of Protests in Tirana
The comments come as the protest movement in Tirana has continued for 76 consecutive days, with activists and citizens raising demands concerning government accountability, property rights and institutional responsibility.
Mehdini said the Albanian diaspora in Milan has sought to stand alongside the protesters in Tirana rather than limit its involvement to demonstrations in Italy.
“The diaspora protests have not only had an important impact on the protests in Tirana, but we have also set an example for the world,” she said.
Suela Mehdini Announces European Parliament Meeting
Mehdini also revealed that representatives of the Albanian diaspora in Milan are preparing to take the concerns raised during the protests directly to European institutions.
She said the group has already requested a meeting at the European Parliament and has held an online meeting with Members of the European Parliament.
“We have requested a meeting at the European Parliament. We have also held an online meeting with MEPs,” Mehdini said.
According to her, a delegation from the Milan Albanian diaspora is expected to travel to the European Parliament at the beginning of September.
The delegation plans to present what Mehdini described as the “real problems” raised by activists and citizens during the protests in Albania.
From Milan to Brussels: Diaspora Seeks International Attention
The planned meeting could mark a new stage in the involvement of the Albanian diaspora in the protest movement.
While the demonstrations have been centered in Tirana, Albanian communities abroad have increasingly organized parallel protests and sought to bring the issues to European institutions.
For Suela Mehdini and the Milan diaspora, the objective is to ensure that the concerns raised during the protests — including the Zvërnec incident and broader questions surrounding citizens' property rights and government accountability — receive attention beyond Albania.
The outcome of the planned European Parliament meeting remains uncertain, but the move demonstrates the diaspora's intention to internationalize the debate surrounding the ongoing protests in Albania.