Albania's ombudsman has opened administrative investigations into allegations that police abused minors during Monday's protest in Tirana, widening scrutiny of police conduct as violent anti-government demonstrations continued Tuesday.
Five of eight minors held at Police Station No. 1 said officers physically and verbally abused them, the Office of the Ombudsman said. Its monitors observed signs of physical injury in two cases. The office described its findings as preliminary.
For Monday's protest, the office recorded 50 people held at police stations, including 18 minors. It separately counted 109 people held at the Security Block. The police-station figure therefore does not represent everyone in custody.
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Tuesday that nearly 200 injured police officers had received hospital treatment and around 80 protesters had been hurt during the unrest. He said he did not have exact current figures. Rama also argued that repairing damaged public property could divert money from schools and other services.
Euronews reported that riot police used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets in Monday's Tirana clashes. The outlet said protesters threw petrol bombs, stones and fireworks, and rubbish bins were set alight.
The Associated Press reported that police again used tear gas and water cannon Tuesday, the eighth consecutive day of violent anti-government demonstrations.
The Associated Press said concerns about tuition costs, education funding and alleged corruption have brought high school and university students into the broader movement calling for Rama to resign. Rallies against a coastal development project had been taking place for months before the current run of violent demonstrations, the outlet reported.
The new allegations add to earlier scrutiny of police conduct during the protests. State Police Director General Skender Hita previously reported that seven officers had been suspended pending disciplinary investigations.
In an Oct. 18 statement, before Monday's detentions, the European Commission condemned violence in Tirana and other Albanian cities. It called for any police response to be lawful and proportionate, urged respect for assembly and expression, and pressed for peaceful dialogue as Albania seeks European Union membership. The ombudsman said its investigations were continuing and promised further updates.
