Berisha wants harsher punishments for family crimes

TIRANA, Dec. 10 – Prime Minister Sali Berisha said during Monday’s parliamentary session that the penal code should have harsher punishment for perpetrators of crimes committed against family members.
The premier said that 70 percent of the crimes in the last two months were committed among family members.
“I believe a national strategy is needed at this point. Such things have never happened in this country, even in more difficult situations,” he said.
He urged initiatives to reinforce penal code punishment for such cases, suggesting even life imprisonment for the killers, convinced that would serve to significantly lower crime within families.
“I invite members to join votes and urgently amend the Penal Code. We should forecast a series of harsh steps and prevent crime within the family,” said the premier.
That found a positive response from the opposition.
Valentina Leskaj, head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, said her lawmakers were ready to support any initiative on preventing violence in the family. She added that penal code amendments should also be accompanied with overall steps in public awareness.