Albanian authorities have opened investigations following renewed clashes in Tirana on 24 October. One case concerns an eye injury suffered by a 28-year-old man during the protest. An officer has also been suspended after footage emerged of a separate incident involving alleged excessive force.
Police said on 25 October that five officers had been injured. Their account describes participants using stones, metal objects, fireworks and incendiary devices. These are police allegations about the clashes, to be examined as investigators establish individual incidents.
The professional standards directorate, the police oversight agency and prosecutors are examining the young man’s injury. Their work is intended to establish how it occurred and whether officers acted lawfully.
The suspended officer belongs to the Shqiponja specialist unit. An administrative investigation concerns alleged overstepping of his duties and failure to respect proportionality. Suspension is an interim measure rather than a final finding of responsibility.
Albania’s protests have brought together different strands of opposition to the government. The latest incidents add another test for the authorities: investigating violence by participants while ensuring scrutiny of their own officers.
Establishing individual actions will be central to both processes, whether they concern allegations against protesters or possible police misconduct.
