FINES OF UP TO EUR 5,500 FOR VIOLENT PROTESTERS

TIRANA, OCTOBER 29 /SRNA/ - The Albanian Government has adopted a package of measures to curb violence at protests, including fines of up to 500,000 lek, or about 5,500 euros. The highest fine is reserved for anyone who disobeys a police order to disperse a gathering while concealing their identity.

Among other things, police will be able to temporarily ban or restrict gatherings near educational, health and state institutions if there is a real, serious and imminent risk of violence or major material damage. The restriction can last up to 72 hours and may be extended once, Albanian media reported. Concealing one's identity will also be punishable by a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 lek. The regulation provides for exceptions where covering the face is justified on health or religious grounds, or in the course of professional work such as journalism. For calls to violence on social media, police may request that the content be removed. If a post is not removed or the offense is repeated, police may take action under existing laws. The government also announced state compensation for small businesses damaged by vandalism, looting or fires during the protests. Payments will initially be made from the state budget, after which proceedings will be launched to recover the amounts from those responsible for the damage, Albanian media reported. Where insurance covers only part of the damage, the state will pay the difference. The package also includes a special electronic register of persons referred to prosecutors or under investigation for violent crimes committed at public gatherings. The measures took effect immediately, and parliament must confirm them within 45 days. Anti-government protests have been going on in Tirana for months. They began as peaceful gatherings against a luxury hotel project in a protected nature area backed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. In mid-October, the protests expanded to include student demands related to corruption, problems in the healthcare system and a lack of prospects for young people.