Tirana Police Do Not Grant Permission for Opposition Protest/ Measures Revealed

2026-02-20 11:31:00, Aktualitet CNA

Tirana police have not given permission to the opposition to hold their protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office next week.

According to the Police, considering the fact that in the previous protest there were masked citizens who threw Molotov cocktails and pyrotechnics, injuring police officers, as well as the information received that there may be violent actions, the Tirana Police has responded to the political entity that it does not take responsibility for the development of the rally.

However, it has taken measures by restricting certain road segments based on the law on gatherings.

Tirana Police Announcement

Representatives of the political entity Democratic Party of Albania have notified the Tirana Police of the holding of a rally on 20.02.2026, at 18:00, in front of the Prime Minister's Office.

Based on the risk analysis and taking into account the fact that in the previous protest there were masked citizens who threw Molotov cocktails and pyrotechnics, injuring police officers, as well as from the information received that there may be violent actions in today's protest, the Tirana Police has responded to the political entity that it does not take responsibility for the development of the rally.

Despite this, the Tirana Police has taken all measures, based on the law "On Gatherings", in order to guarantee order and security, in the event that the gathering takes place.

In implementation of these measures, today, movement will be restricted on several road axes/segments, specifically:

-From 15:00 on 20.02.2026, until the end of the rally, there will be a traffic jam on the "Martyrs of the Nation" boulevard, from the intersection near the Ministry of Interior to "Mother Teresa" Square, as well as on "Free Ukraine", "Papa John Paul II" and "Ismail Qemali" streets.

Depending on the development of the rally, there may be restrictions on vehicle traffic on other road axes. In case of blockage, to assist citizens who will be circulating on these axes, Tirana Police has taken measures to divert vehicle traffic to alternative routes.

Tirana Police appeal to citizens to avoid driving on road axes that will be blocked and to use alternative routes, as well as to distance themselves and report any violent acts or any other illegality./ CNA