The State Police has presented its account of the six days of protests in Tirana, claiming it was under continuous attack by masked individuals and that 37 police officers were injured during the most recent day. In the same statement, police announced arrests, criminal proceedings and the seizure of materials that, according to the official version, were used during the violent acts.
The police’s official toll after the clashes
According to the State Police, 54 people were escorted to police stations in Tirana alone, of whom 27 were arrested and another 27 were placed under criminal investigation. Authorities say these individuals are suspected of involvement in violent acts, property damage and attacks on officers.
Police also reported that in Shkodra and Vlora, another 19 people have been placed under criminal investigation for unlawful acts during gatherings held in those cities.
What police say was seized
The statement says that during investigative actions, officers seized a magazine with live ammunition, two Molotov cocktails, doses of cannabis, as well as screws, metal balls and other materials.
According to police, these items were used by masked individuals during attacks on law enforcement forces. However, the statement does not provide additional public details on the specific circumstances in which the magazine was found or its connection to specific individuals.
RENEA on the ground and alarm over armed individuals
Police say that yesterday a phone call reached the operations room of the Tirana Local Police Directorate, according to which there were armed elements among the protesters and shots were being fired during attacks involving pyrotechnic materials.
On this basis, according to the official version, the RENEA special units were also deployed, on the grounds that there was a risk to the lives of officers. Police also claim they used special crowd-management equipment in a limited manner.
Allegations of damage to institutions and property
The statement mentions damage to state institutions, justice institutions, banks, as well as public and private property. Police claim that masked groups spread across several streets in Tirana, where they burned and destroyed property and road signage.
Among the episodes listed by the authorities is the setting of a fire at the entrance to the Supreme Court building, an incident that significantly worsens the picture presented by law enforcement bodies of the protest.
Denial of foreign officers in the management of the protest
At the end of the statement, the State Police denied reports that officers from partner police forces took part in managing the gathering. According to police, those reports are untrue.
Authorities also called on parents not to allow children to take part in protests and repeated their request that protesters distance themselves from violent and masked individuals.
The police statement provides a strong institutional version of events, with emphasis on violence against officers and damage to institutions. At this stage, the public toll is based on the authorities’ official announcement and on investigative procedures which, according to them, are ongoing.