Albania has introduced fines of more than US$6,000 for demonstrators who take part in a protest that turns violent, even if they commit no violent acts themselves, as the government moves against months of anti-government protests in Tirana that have called for the prime minister's resignation.
Under the measures adopted on Wednesday, fines of up to 500,000 leks (€5,500, US$6,130) can be imposed on "anyone who chooses to remain in a crowd" that is carrying out acts of violence or looting in a public space, or who is "concealing their identity". The average salary before tax in Albania is €930 (US$1,026) per month.
The capital has been racked by months of anti-government protests that in recent days have deteriorated into pitched battles between security forces and protesters. The leaderless movement started peacefully in May with rallies against a luxury hotel project in a nature reserve backed by US president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. It morphed in mid-October into a wave of student-led protests against perceived corruption, shortcomings in the health system and the lack of prospects for young people in the country of 2.3 million people.
The new measures also give police powers to temporarily restrict gatherings in certain areas, including near educational, healthcare and government institutions, if there is a risk of violence. They provide for sanctions against online incitement to violence and compensation for small businesses damaged during protests.
The measures take immediate effect but must be approved by parliament within 45 days to remain in force. Prime Minister Edi Rama has said he was inspired by a French bill, passed by the parliament's upper house, that would make protesters financially liable for damage caused during street demonstrations. He has repeatedly blamed "foreign actors" for the violence and accused both Russia and Iran of driving online misinformation, and has called for "dialogue".
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The fines apply to people who simply remain in a crowd, not only to those who commit violent acts, which could deter peaceful participation in protests.
- The measures are already in force while parliament considers them, and the maximum fine is several times the average monthly salary of about €930.
- The unrest has grown from a dispute over a hotel project into a broader student-led movement, and the government's response will shape whether the crisis escalates or eases.
Background
The protests began in May as peaceful rallies against a luxury hotel project in a nature reserve, a development backed by Jared Kushner, US president Donald Trump's son-in-law. In mid-October the movement became student-led, with demonstrations against perceived corruption, shortcomings in the health system and a lack of prospects for young people in Albania, a country of 2.3 million people. Recent days have seen pitched battles between security forces and protesters in Tirana, and the government has repeatedly blamed "foreign actors" for the violence.
Key Perspectives
Anti-government protesters: have been calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation, with student-led demonstrations focused on perceived corruption, shortcomings in the health system and a lack of prospects for young people.
Edi Rama: has blamed "foreign actors" for the violence, accused Russia and Iran of driving online misinformation, and called for "dialogue".
What to Watch
- Whether Albania's parliament approves the measures within the 45-day deadline, which is required for them to remain in force.
- Whether the fines change turnout at protests or the movement continues to call for Rama's resignation.
- Whether the pitched battles between security forces and protesters in Tirana escalate or ease in coming days.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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- Partly supportedThe headline says Albania imposes fines of more than US$6,000 on protesters.World news | The Guardian: “fines of up to 500,000 leks (€5,500, US$6,130)”
- SupportedThe fines target demonstrators who remain at a protest that turns violent.World news | The Guardian: “demonstrators who participate in a protest that turns violent”
- SupportedThe measure can target people who take no violent action themselves.World news | The Guardian: “even if they don’t personally commit violent acts”
- SupportedThe government is moving against months of anti-government protests in Tirana that have called for the prime minister’s resignation.World news | The Guardian: “the government tries to clamp down on the gatherings calling for the prime minister’s resignation. The capital, Tirana, has been racked by months of anti-government protests”
- SupportedThe measures were adopted on Wednesday and allow fines of up to 500,000 leks (€5,500, US$6,130).World news | The Guardian: “On Wednesday, prime minister Edi Rama’s government adopted legislative measures imposing fines of up to 500,000 leks (€5,500, US$6,130)”
- SupportedThe measures cover anyone who remains in a crowd carrying out violence or looting in a public space, or who conceals their identity.World news | The Guardian: ““anyone who chooses to remain in a crowd” that is carrying out acts of violence or looting in a public space, or “concealing their identity””
- SupportedAlbania’s average pre-tax monthly salary is €930 (US$1,026).World news | The Guardian: “The average salary before tax in Albania is €930 (US$1,026) per month.”
- SupportedRecent Tirana protests have deteriorated into pitched battles between security forces and protesters.World news | The Guardian: “in recent days have deteriorated into pitched battles between the security forces and protesters”
- SupportedThe leaderless movement began peacefully in May with rallies against a luxury hotel project in a nature reserve backed by Jared Kushner.World news | The Guardian: “The leaderless movement started peacefully in May, with rallies against a luxury hotel project in a nature reserve, backed by US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.”
- SupportedThe movement shifted in mid-October into student-led protests over perceived corruption, health-system shortcomings and young people’s lack of prospects.World news | The Guardian: “It morphed in mid-October into a wave of student-led protests against perceived corruption, shortcomings in the health system and the lack of prospects for young people”
- SupportedPolice can temporarily restrict gatherings in certain areas, including near educational, healthcare and government institutions, if there is a risk of violence.World news | The Guardian: “Police were also given powers to temporarily restrict gatherings in certain areas, including near educational, healthcare and government institutions if there was a risk of violence.”
- SupportedThe measures take immediate effect but must be approved by parliament within 45 days to remain in force.World news | The Guardian: “The measures take immediate effect but must be approved by parliament within 45 days to remain in force.”