More Clashes and Repression in Albania

Featured image: Clashes in the anti-corruption demonstrations in Albania. Source: AFP

The government of Albania has responded to the on-going protests with new penalties announced on Wednesday, October 28. The measures allow fines of up to 500,000 Albanian lek (around 6,165 USD) for people who “remain in a crowd involved in violence or looting”, or “who conceal their identity”. The rules also give police authority to temporarily restrict gatherings in places where officials believe violence could occur. They took effect immediately but must be approved by parliament within 45 days to remain in force. Despite these new penalties the people have continued to protest.

On October 31, on the 19th consecutive day of protests, there was another anti-government protest in Tirana. Demonstrators called for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. Dozens of youths threw paving stones and fire bombs at police and set rubbish bins on fire. Some protesters used slingshots to launch rocks. Police deployed two water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Interior Minister Ervin Demo said on Friday that 350 people had been injured during the protests, including about 200 police officers and around 40 bystanders. He also reported that 269 people under 18 had been arrested.