Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that a new law will be published this week, providing for fines of more than $550 for “anyone who chooses to remain in a crowd” that commits acts of violence, looting in public spaces, or “conceals their identity”. In a speech on social media, Rama stressed that the strict measures will apply to any kind of gathering “when it results in damage to property”. The announcement comes after months of anti-government demonstrations, which in recent days have escalated into clashes between security forces and protesters.
The new law will give police the authority to restrict “gatherings” in certain cases if there is a risk of violence. Rama stated that “anyone who demands my resignation is mistaken if they think it can be forced or imposed in any way, but I do not believe that everything they say and demand is wrong”. The statement came as several hundred people in the capital held a new protest outside his offices.
Opposition leader and Rama’s fierce rival, Sali Berisha, head of the Democratic Party, said citizens will not accept the government’s new measures. In a statement, his party emphasized that “we will stand firm against them” and “we will respond tit for tat” to Rama “to give him what he deserves”, as Berisha said in an online exchange with the public.
The new law also provides for compensation for small businesses affected by the protests, and action against those who “encourage, organize or coordinate the participation of minor schoolchildren in gatherings”. Teachers have supported high school students who took part in protests this year. After Saturday’s protests, police announced that 23 people had been arrested, 13 others face legal proceedings, and 30 people were “wanted”.
Source: France 24 Live News