Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama warned that families and students could bear costs tied to violent protests, while the European Commission called for a lawful, proportionate response to the unrest.
In remarks published Oct. 19, Rama said families could face claims over damaged property if they failed to keep minors away from violent demonstrations. He also warned that students who attacked police would lose state scholarships and other support. His remarks described potential consequences, not measures already in force.
Rama ruled out talks with people using violence and with political forces he accused of being behind the violence and failing to distance themselves from it.
The European Commission condemned attacks on institutions and property on Oct. 18. It urged authorities to respond within the law and proportionately, ensure due process for those held responsible and pursue peaceful dialogue. The commission linked those principles to Albania’s path toward European Union membership.
In its Oct. 17 account of the preceding five days, the Albanian State Police reported 167 arrests and 132 injured officers. Police Chief Skender Hita said seven officers had been suspended during an investigation into possible breaches of duty or proportionality, a development EconoTimes covered earlier. In a separate report, police said an Oct. 18 attack on a Tirana station injured 10 officers.
Albania’s Ombudsman Endrit Shabani said Oct. 16 that monitors had recorded allegations and visible signs of violence involving 26 people held in the Security Unit. His office described its findings as preliminary and said it was checking the cases individually.
The Associated Press reported that students pressing for education changes had joined the wider campaign seeking Rama’s resignation. Rama cited a university pact that he said followed student protests in 2018.
Businesses damaged during the unrest also have a route to seek assistance. Rama said Oct. 17 that a government service was available for small businesses to register losses and that 10 tax authority teams had been assigned to verify damage in Tirana before assistance was determined.
