Clashes at opposition protest/ 11 arrested and 15 under investigation

2026-04-18 11:37:00, Aktualitet CNA

Tirana Police have officially announced the outcome of the intervention following the protest organized by the Democratic Party in front of the Prime Minister's Office.

The blue operation has led to the arrest of 11 people in flagrante delicto, while 15 others are being processed at large for acts of violence and public order violations. Among the people under investigation are political and public figures, such as MP Klevis Balliu and activist Aulon Kalaja, who were injured during the rally, as well as two minors aged 16 and 17.

The police announced that proceedings have been initiated against Klevis Balliu for "Organization and participation in illegal gatherings", while Aulon Kalana is charged with assaulting a police officer.

According to the police report, there were moments of severe tension during the rally, where various participants threw Molotov cocktails and pyrotechnic devices towards the Prime Minister's Office building and the police cordon.

During the intervention, security services managed to seize 45 unused Molotov cocktails, which were allegedly prepared to continue attacks on institutions.

The arrested, aged between 18 and 55, face a number of serious charges, including "Strike in the Line of Duty", "Destruction of Property by Fire" and "Unlicensed Possession of Weapons and Ammunition".

The investigative team is continuing its work by reviewing video footage and evidence collected on the ground to identify other persons involved in the acts of violence.

Police notification

They threw incendiary devices (Molotov cocktails) and pyrotechnics, resisted and attacked police officers during the rally held on 17.04.2026, 11 citizens were arrested in flagrante delicto.

15 other citizens are being prosecuted.

During the rally, as a result of the attack with Molotov cocktails and pyrotechnics, 5 police officers were injured.

At the time of the intervention, the Police services seized 45 Molotov cocktails, which some protesters had prepared to continue the attack on Police officers and state institutions.

During the rally organized by the political entity Democratic Party, on 17.04.2026, some of the participants were caught red-handed throwing incendiary (Molotov cocktails) and pyrotechnics towards the Prime Minister's Office building, and they opposed and attacked State Police employees, who were engaged in ensuring public order and safety, with Molotov cocktails and pyrotechnics.

As a result, 5 police officers were injured during the rally, who received treatment in hospital and are out of danger.

Following the actions to legally document the acts of violence and hold the perpetrators legally accountable, specialists from the Serious Crimes Investigation Sector at the Tirana Police Department arrested in flagrante delicto citizens K. Ç., 38 years old; BT, 29 years old; H. Sh., 30 years old; MT, 50 years old; ID, 18 years old; SB, 25 years old; BN, 42 years old; GT, 48 years old; E. Sh., 37 years old; SB, 55 years old and EK, 32 years old, for the criminal offenses of "Strike in the line of duty", "Disturbing public peace", "Unauthorized production and possession of weapons and ammunition", "Destruction of property by fire" and "Opposition of a public order officer".

Also, criminal proceedings were initiated against the following citizens: AT, 20 years old; AC, 51 years old; AR, 25 years old; NM, 30 years old; RN, 25 years old; Nj. S., 25 years old; EN, 27 years old; DK, 30 years old; EB, 39 years old; AZ, 20 years old; AP, 20 years old and 2 minor citizens, 16 years old and 17 years old, for the criminal offense of "Disturbance of public peace".

The materials were also referred to the Prosecutor's Office, where criminal proceedings were initiated against citizen KB, a member of parliament, for the criminal offense of "Organizing and participating in illegal gatherings and demonstrations", as well as against citizen AK, for the criminal offense of "Assault due to duty".

The investigative group continues to work to identify other citizens who may have committed illegal actions during the rally held yesterday./ CNA