Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama warned of criminal and administrative measures against people who have caused damage during recent protests, while saying the government is also considering restricting social media for children under the age of 16.
Since October 13, thousands of people have protested first in Tirana and then in other cities, driven by students’ discontent over the cost of education, conditions at universities and a lack of economic prospects.
The protests quickly expanded, drawing in citizens who oppose the cost of living, corruption and the way the country is governed. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Rama and his government.
Yet, despite the protests and calls for resignation, Rama gave no sign that he will step down. He said he is willing to listen even to citizens who demand his departure, but insisted that political change cannot be imposed through violence.
As an invitation to dialogue, on Tuesday he placed several sheets bearing the inscription “DIALOG” on chairs in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tirana.
From students to pensioners, what unites protesters in Tirana?
Speaking at the Ministry of Education, together with Minister Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi and heads of secondary schools in Tirana, Rama defended the police response, which has been criticised for excessive use of force against protesters, and described the protests as attempts to destabilise the country.
He announced a package of measures that, in addition to criminal liability, would also include an obligation to compensate material damages. According to him, responsibility for damage caused by minors should also extend to their parents.
“We are studying it and will see whether we need to lower the age for criminal punishment, as I said a number of countries are doing”, Rama said, adding that the use of social media for children under 16 could also be restricted.
Currently, according to Albania’s Criminal Code, people who have reached the age of 14 are criminally liable for committing a crime, while those who have reached 16 are liable for criminal offences.
During these days, false or unverified information about Rama’s government has circulated on social media, some of which has been refuted by fact-checking organisations.
During the press conference, Rama repeated claims that political and foreign actors stand behind the violence, without presenting public evidence for these accusations.
On Monday, on the seventh day of the protests, police intervened earlier to disperse crowds and prevent protesters from gathering. The Court of Appeal in Tirana was hit with stones, and in the evening there were clashes near the Ministry of Interior.
By Sunday, authorities had brought criminal charges against 388 people in connection with the protests. Meanwhile, seven police officers were suspended from duty pending investigations into suspicions of excessive use of force.
The European Union and the US Embassy in Tirana have called for restraint, respect for the right to peaceful protest, and proportionate use of force by the authorities.