A tragic event occurred on Wednesday morning in Tirana, where a man is suspected to have ended his life devastatingly.
The victim, Genci Aliaj, a 48-year-old prison police officer at Prison 313, is believed to have committed suicide using a firearm in his residence. According to law enforcement authorities, the incident took place around 11:00 AM on Shefqet Musarai Street. The reasons behind this extreme act remain unknown.
Valentin Macaj, the head of the Prison Police Union, spoke on the television program "People" about the incident and the harsh conditions faced by prison police officers in Albania.
"Working in prison police is the most difficult profession in Albania," Macaj stated. "A prison officer deals with all forms of open and covert criminal activity."
He further explained that prison police officers face severe psychological challenges. "A prison officer spends half of their life in prison," he said, referring to the daily interactions with criminals of all kinds, as well as the pressure from their families outside.
Speaking about the late officer, Macaj revealed that Aliaj had been going through a difficult period in his personal life.
"He was facing family hardships. He lived alone and took his own life in a small studio apartment. He endured extreme living conditions. Stress builds up, work pressure accumulates, and so does the inability to feel proud in front of one’s family," Macaj explained.
This incident sheds light on the immense pressure faced by prison police officers in Albania and raises concerns about their mental health and working conditions.