TIRANA, Albania — Ten police officers were injured in an attack on Police Station No. 3 in Tirana, Albania’s capital, where masked individuals allegedly used Molotov cocktails, pyrotechnic devices, stones and other hard objects against the building and officers on duty.
In a statement to the media, State Police Director General Skënder Hita said the injured officers had been assigned to secure the police station and had not been involved in police operations during the preceding days of protests.
According to Hita, the attack posed a serious threat to the lives and safety of police personnel, as well as to people being held inside the station.
“I want to be very clear: an attack on a police station is not a protest,” Hita said, describing the use of dangerous objects against officers as serious violence punishable under the law.
He added that further attacks against police officers had been reported during the day, involving stones, pyrotechnic devices, metal spheres and Molotov cocktails, resulting in additional injuries.
“For six days, State Police officers have faced repeated acts of violence while continuing to carry out their duty to maintain public order and safety,” Hita said.
He said police structures were working to identify those involved, document their actions and submit evidence to the competent judicial authorities. Anyone found criminally responsible, he added, would face the consequences provided for by law.
Hita stressed that the right to peaceful protest was guaranteed and that police had a duty to protect it. However, he warned that officers would act in accordance with the law against conduct that endangered lives, public safety or public order.
The police chief said he had instructed officers to continue performing their duties professionally, with restraint and determination, while respecting legal procedures, standard operating protocols and the principle of proportionality.
“The determination to stop violence must always go hand in hand with respect for the law and citizens’ rights,” he said.
Hita called on those involved in violent acts to stop, and urged peaceful demonstrators to distance themselves from individuals whose actions endangered others.
“State Police are not the opponents of citizens. They are here to serve them,” he said, emphasizing the importance of public trust and cooperation between the police and the community.
He concluded by expressing support for officers continuing to serve despite the risks and wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
“Protecting citizens’ safety, safeguarding life and maintaining public order are our duty and our non-negotiable responsibility,” Hita said.
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