A young man was left with a broken leg after clashes between protesters and police in Tirana, in an episode that once again raises questions over the use of force in managing public gatherings. Footage released after the incident shows the young man in serious condition, while political debate flared immediately.
Footage that sparked reactions
In the video shared on social media, several police officers can be seen carrying the young man by his arms and legs, while he appears to be seriously injured. The exact circumstances of the moment when he suffered the broken leg have not been publicly clarified.
The case also prompted a reaction from Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, who published the footage and made harsh accusations against the police. His statement remains the political position of the opposition, and not a version verified by an independent investigation.
How the protest escalated in the capital
The protest in Tirana began at around 2:00 p.m., but later turned into physical clashes between protesters and police forces. The situation spread to several parts of the city, causing tension and damage in public spaces.
During the movement through the city, different protesters set fire to trash bins, other objects and advertising signs on the streets. These episodes marked the shift from a protest gathering to a violent escalation on the ground.
The police’s official toll
According to police, by evening more than 23 protesters had been escorted to the police station. Under the official version, 6 police officers, several journalists, protesters and passersby were injured in the clashes.
However, beyond the toll announced by the authorities, the case of the seriously injured young man is expected to increase pressure for fuller clarifications over the police intervention and the proportionality of the force used on the ground.
Footage released from the protest in Tirana is shifting attention to how the confrontation was handled on the ground and to responsibility for the injuries caused.
In the absence of a full clarification of the episode in which the young man was left with a broken leg, the incident remains one of the gravest moments of this protest.