Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baqaei, following the latter's reaction to the protests against the tourist project in Zvërnec.
In his response, Rama mocked Tehran's intervention, declaring that the "government of the ayatollahs" had joined the protest with slogans in Albanian. He stressed that the protests in Albania are an expression of democracy and that citizens have the right to criticize the government without fear of punishment.
The Prime Minister also recalled the cyberattacks on Albanian institutions, for which Albania accused Iran and which led to the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Rama accused the Iranian regime of censorship, suppression of freedoms and propaganda, emphasizing that Albania does not take lessons on sovereignty from Tehran.
In a post on social media, Baqaei called on Rama to show more respect for the judgment of the Albanian people, emphasizing that citizens are capable of distinguishing truth from falsehood.
He stated that, instead of accusing Iran, the Albanian prime minister should listen to the voices of the protesters who oppose his government, citing the slogans: "No to corruption!", "We want justice!" and "Rama out!".
Reaction of Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei
Calm down, Mr. Prime Minister.
It was YOU, sir, who started this. Therefore… you must face the consequences!
It would be wise to show a little more respect for the intelligence and judgment of your people, a nation with a rich culture and proud history. They are wise enough to distinguish truth from falsehood.
If you decide to sell your country's national sovereignty, that is your choice. You are not obligated to give us explanations. But when faced with the anger and criticism of your public, please do not use others as scapegoats to avoid responsibility.
Instead of writing a long pamphlet filled with worn-out and unfounded accusations against Iran, stop for a moment and listen to the voice of your citizens protesting in the streets:
"No to corruption!"
"We want justice!"
"Rama, go away!"
Edi Rama's reaction
Here comes the government of the Tehran ayatollahs officially joining the protest, even with slogans in Albanian, just like those who turned it from an environmental protest into a protest for the overthrow of the government!
Attached is my reply in the name of those protesters who are still there to protect nature, not to make Albania a stage for the battles of all kinds of powers, from the Iranian medievalists, who want to burn this exemplary oasis of interfaith tolerance and excellent relations with Israel, Arab countries or Turkey, to all kinds of groups and international media, along with all kinds of individuals from all kinds of countries, who are duping Trump and are bringing it out these days by flooding social networks with all kinds of half-truths, which swell and swell, becoming the biggest lies!
Albania is too small to fall into this big trap, from which we risk turning back on our own feet to the point where no foreign investor will come closer, while tourism will lag far behind compared to our competitors, condemning us to staying in the second category for who knows how many more years...
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Oh, dear, you really have no shame!
However, we thank you for the concern you show for the intelligence of the Albanian people.
It would be much more convincing if this came from representatives of a regime that does not systematically target its citizens with censorship, intimidation, internet shutdowns, and suppression of dissent.
Regarding sovereignty, Albania does not receive lessons on sovereignty from a government whose agents were caught carrying out cyberattacks on Albanian public services and institutions, which led to the severance of diplomatic relations between Albania and Iran.
You quote Albanian protesters shouting in the streets. Very good. This is called democracy. In Albania people are free to protest against their government, criticize the Prime Minister, demand justice and call for elections without fear of imprisonment.
Can the same be said for the people on whose behalf you claim to speak?
And it is particularly significant that you have suddenly revealed such deep concern for the protesters in Tirana, while the blood of tens of thousands of your citizens weighs heavily on the conscience of your regime, while countless others continue to suffer persecution, oppression, and imprisonment, and while tens of millions of people remain trapped in conditions that belong more to the Middle Ages than the twenty-first century.
The Albanian people are truly intelligent enough to distinguish truth from lies. That is precisely why they distinguish the difference between a democratic argument and propaganda.
Your bots, your fake profiles, and your "deepfake" videos may add to the general digital confusion the poison of your hateful regime, but they will get nowhere, because despite the differences we may have among us as Albanians, we are all clear and united in the conviction that any kind of regime that keeps its citizens in darkness and poverty is an enemy of our way of life, disguised as concern.
And your regime is the worst of all: a terrorist state, by its very definition.
