Lawyers for Lawyers is deeply concerned by the public threats issued on 4 July by Albania’s Minister of Interior against lawyer Gentian Sejrani after he relayed his client’s allegations of police abuse to the media in accordance with his professional duties and his client’s explicit instructions. These threats, which called for criminal prosecution and disciplinary proceedings, appear directly linked to Mr Sejrani’s legal representation of protesters detained during the ongoing ‘Flamingo Revolution’ demonstrations. We call on the Albanian authorities to immediately withdraw these threats and to ensure Mr Sejrani can carry out his professional duties without fear of reprisal. Background Gentian Sejrani is an Albanian public interest lawyer and the Executive Director of Drejtësi Sociale (Social Justice), a non-profit organisation that provides legal aid to marginalised and vulnerable individuals and communities in Albania. Since the outbreak of the “Flamingo Revolution” protests, which began as demonstrations against a large-scale infrastructure project over its alleged environmental impact and evolved into a broader anti-corruption movement, he has represented numerous young people and other individuals arrested or detained by the police. According to information received, Mr Sejrani’s client was apprehended on 2 July 2026 while participating in protests before the Albanian Parliament in Tirana, when he reportedly suffered an epileptic seizure and was taken by ambulance for emergency treatment before being transferred to Police Station No.1. During a subsequent legal consultation, which took place in conditions that did not fully ensure lawyer–client confidentiality because of inadequate facilities, the client informed Mr Sejrani that he had been physically and sexually abused in custody and displayed visible signs of injury. Acting on his client’s explicit instructions, Mr Sejrani conveyed these allegations to the media and called on the People’s Advocate (Ombudsman) and the Albanian Helsinki Committee to immediately investigate the allegations. Minister of Interior’s public threats In response, Albania’s Minister of Interior, Besfort Lamallari, published a statement on social media (Facebook, 4 July 2026) dismissing the allegations publicly raised by Mr Sejrani as ‘unfounded’ and warning of criminal and disciplinary consequences. He stated that, should police investigations reach the same conclusion, it would be the ‘right and duty’ of the State police to initiate criminal proceedings against Mr Sejrani for allegedly ‘inciting hatred’, and to request that the National Chamber of Advocacy review his actions for suspected ethical and professional misconduct – with potential consequences for his licence to practise law. Following the Minister’s statement, Mr Sejrani has been the target of numerous defamatory and abusive attacks on social media. Investigations into the client’s allegations of abuse have reportedly been opened by both the People’s Advocate (Ombudsman) and the Police Oversight Agency; neither has issued findings to date. The Minister’s statements raise concerns that Mr Sejrani is being targeted because of his professional activities and his association with clients or causes viewed critically by the authorities. The Albanian Helsinki Committee, together with 23 other civil society organisations, expressed similar concerns and called for an independent investigation into the alleged ill-treatment. This case arises against the backdrop of broader concerns about the authorities’ response to public criticism, protest, and freedom of expression.
Albanian Minister of Interior should withdraw public threats against lawyer Gentian Sejrani
