Anti-terror structures have intervened over a series of social media posts linked to the protests of the past two weeks in Tirana. According to the official version of the State Police, one person has been arrested, 17 others have been criminally investigated, and in 8 other cases the materials have been sent to the Prosecutor’s Office for the identification of the authors.
What police say about the arrest
According to the official statement, Elton Xhura, 33, a resident of Tirana, was placed in handcuffs, suspected of the criminal offense of “Spreading false information that causes panic.”
Police claim that he sent a threatening message on Facebook to a private hospital, warning of the placement of bombs in three buildings belonging to the entity. Up to this stage, the authorities have made public only their version of the case.
17 people under investigation for online posts and comments
According to police, 17 citizens are being investigated for various criminal offenses, including public calls for violent acts, spreading false information, interference in private life, and incitement of hatred.
Among the cases mentioned is A. K., 34, whom authorities say called for violence on Instagram. Police also say he is suspected of having opened a GoFundMe account claiming that his life was in danger. During a search, authorities also seized a document with which he presented himself as a journalist.
Also under investigation is E. N., 51, a resident of Shëngjin, who according to authorities published videos offering sums of money for violent acts against representatives of Parliament and members of the Council of Ministers.
The list of people under investigation also includes G. P., 37, whom police claim repeatedly published personal data, photos, and videos of police officers, accompanied by insulting and threatening comments.
From online calls to the Nazi symbol at the protest
The statement also mentions other cases, including publications with suspected anti-constitutional content and posts that, according to authorities, incited violent acts during the protests.
One of the referred episodes is linked to the placement of a banner bearing a Nazi symbol on the main facade of the Polytechnic University during a protest. In this case, a 20-year-old from Tirana has been placed under investigation.
Several other people have also been placed under investigation after they were suspected of distributing writings, messages, or comments on various online platforms calling for violence during the recent gatherings.
8 other cases sent to prosecutors, pending identification
In addition to those under investigation, police say they have also referred 8 other cases to the Prosecutor’s Office: 7 accounts on various online communication platforms and 1 Instagram account.
According to authorities, posts calling for violent actions were identified on these profiles, while in one case they also mention the spreading of false information that could cause panic. The identification of the administrators of these accounts remains open.
The operation has been presented by state structures as part of investigations launched after the protests held since October 13, 2026, in cooperation between the Anti-Terror Unit, the Cybercrime Investigation structures, and the prosecutors’ offices of general jurisdiction.
The intervention comes at a time when authorities are also expanding their focus to online content linked to the protests, treating it as an issue with criminal implications.
Beyond the official statement, it remains to be seen how many of these cases will be backed by full evidence before prosecutors and how many of them will pass judicial scrutiny.