“Today Martini, tomorrow your child” Albanian citizens protest after the 14-year-old murder in Tirana

Martin Cani was stabbed to death on November 18, just a few yards from the school he learned. The suspected author of the same age was a student of this school.

The protest was deliberately organised to make sense of institutions and society so that events like that of Martin Can's murder do not repeat.

With banners written “the irresponsible institutions kill”, “Today Martini, tomorrow may be your child”, as well as our “, our curiosity fuels injustice” etc., citizens blamed the institutions, in particular the Ministry of Education.

One girl, a classmate with Martin, said that she saw people with knives in her school environments.

We've lost a friend of the heart, who we've had for nine years in class. He hurt us deeply. Instead of being happy, we're afraid of not finding him at school. We saw people come to school with knives and they thought to show that we were strong. Where's the security from school, the officer, the principal. I have a little sister in that school. The fear that I have of him and myself is the great”, the student said.

Subtitles must be held accountable. The security officer, the teacher, the school principal, the Ministry of Education has not done his duty enough. The government that sees responsibility in closing TikTok shows that it has not done the job properly”, said a parent who participated in the protest.

He referred to the proposal made by Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama, the day before for the closure of the TikTok social platforms and Snapchat, or the deployment of some filters.

After the 14-year-old assassination, the photograph of the author was published, showing the plague he had taken in his hand, and he appeared raising his fist high. He sent the picture to a group of friends in Snapchat. A few days before the crime, he posted yes on this social network another picture with a knife in his hand.

“We don't need a fig lesson, stop learning the next day of Martin's murder, and talk about education, socialization. I'm a mother, and I do two jobs to cover family expenses. Every day I wonder, should I raise my child in this country? Why should I be in this dilemma? We should not leave this country, but the irresponsible, the disabled”, a mother said during the protest in front of the Ministry of Education.

Teachers also attended the protest. One of them said that the state should take responsibility for what Martin could not do.

Where was the ambulance, where was the police? Yes, social networking measures must be taken. I am a teacher myself, I agree that reporting any conflict should be forwarded to parents”, she said.

“Increase the budget for education to 3.4% of the 2025 Interior Production, from 600 million dollars to 850 million dollars, aiming to complete schools with infrastructure and support staff. The increase and fulfillment of 100% of schools with psychologists at least one psychologist for school or a psychologist for 350 students. The students' stay in school space until 4: 00 p.m., offering programs, food, and opportunities to do 48x1> tasks, were some of the main demands of protesters.

Migen Demirxhi, representative of the organisation “Civic Centre”, who made these demands public, said that unless the resignation of the education minister will occur by Monday, another protest will take place.

He demanded that more parents and students go out in protest to create a major alliance in child protection, reports the REL.

Protesters painted the walls of the Education Ministry building in red.

A message from Martin's parents was also read at the November 21 protest.

I don't think there are words that describe pain. Martin was filled with dreams and lives. They took both of them. I hope no one tries. Thank you all from the heart”. It was Martin's parents' message.

Attending the protest were friends of Martin and his aunt, who felt badly and was autobulated for medical assistance.