Victims of Gerdec File Class Action Lawsuit against the State
`The indictment will contribute to the battle against the idea and practice of leaving political crimes in Albania unpunished, declared closed cases`, said Elisa Spiropali from Mjaft!, adding that the indictment will bring to justice institutions and individuals responsible for the crimes against citizens. She noted that the indictments in Citizens of Gerdec vs. Albania should set the legal precedent for governmental responsibility for violations of human rights and dignity. A group of Mjaft! lawyers has been working on this issue for a month. Based on evidence and information collected thus far, Mjaft! will demand justice for the men, women and children of Gerdec. With this aim, Mjaft! Movement has sought the help of several prestigious international human rights groups. “The Albanian government is trying to bury the truth under the ruins of Gerdec. The Albanian government is making every attempt to mask its crime with political rhetoric and propaganda regarding NATO and manipulative changes to the Constitution”, she added. Mjaft accused the parliamentary majority of `not bothering to react, even if all Albania is blasted into the air`. It dismissed the Attorney General initiative for a vote to remove the immunity for Fatmir Mediu, the former minister of defence, accused of being one of those responsible for the Gerdec tragedy. Additionally, in the following days Mjaft! will create a Civil Commission for the Investigation of the Gerdec Tragedy. The commission will demand the exposure of facts of this criminal event, pressure public institutions as well as raise public awareness and stimulate sensitivity so that the terror of Gerdec is never repeated. Twenty-six people died and over 300 were injured, 1200 homes were destroyed and thousands of people suffered physical and psychological damages in the explosion of the ammunitions depot that flattened the village of Gerdec, near Tirana, on March 15, 2008. |
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