Protesters will receive steep fines as nationwide unrest intensifies over demands for the prime minister to resign<\/p>\n
Albania has imposed steep fines on people who take part in violent protests, citing a recent law imposed in France, in an attempt to quell weeks of clashes between police and protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
\nUnder measures adopted Wednesday, remaining at a demonstration that turns violent will be a criminal offense, even for those not directly involved in clashes. Anyone who \u201cchooses to remain in a crowd\u201d engaged in violence or looting, or is found \u201cconcealing their identity,\u201d faces fines of up to 500,000 leks ($6,130), over six-times the Balkan country\u2019s average monthly salary.
\nInitially sparked by student anger over education costs and deteriorating facilities, the demonstrations have evolved into nationwide protests against inequality, soaring living costs, and cuts to public services.
\nCiting \u201curban anarchy\u201d when announcing the crackdown, Rama acknowledged France\u2019s controversial \u2018casseurs-payeurs\u2019 (rioters pay) bill, which would hold demonstrators liable for up to \u20ac10,000 ($11,160) in damages. The bill passed the French Senate on Wednesday and is now headed to the National Assembly, following weeks of protests and riots in which over 1,300 protesters were arrested in a single day.<\/p>\n
Italy has also followed suit. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni\u2019s government approved measures last week that criminalize \u201cviolent participation in a demonstration,\u201d punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to \u20ac20,000.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Albania on fire: Who\u2019s behind the riots?<\/p>\n
In Albania, a \u201cspecial electronic register\u201d will track suspected offenders, while police gain powers to restrict gatherings near schools, hospitals, and government buildings over potential violence. The measures \u2013 which also provide compensation for businesses damaged in the unrest \u2013 are already in place and require parliamentary approval within 45 days to remain in force.
\nWhat\u2019s behind the protests in Albania?
\nAnti-government protests in the country began peacefully in May over plans for a luxury resort in the Zvernec nature reserve, a project linked to US President Donald Trump\u2019s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Mass protests grip Western Europe (VIDEOS)<\/p>\n
By mid-October, the protests escalated into daily clashes with police amid growing anger over corruption, economic mismanagement, unemployment, and failing public services. Demands for Rama\u2019s resignation took center stage, but the prime minister, who has been in power since 2013 and was elected to a fourth term last year, has refused to budge.
\nThe unrest has caused over \u20ac2 million in damage, according to official estimates, as rioters torched ministries and attacked police stations, public buildings, and businesses. Clashes flared up again over the weekend, with protesters chanting \u201cRevolution\u201d and \u201cRama in prison\u201d and police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons in Tirana.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
France planning new riot crackdown law<\/p>\n
The Russia blame game
\nDespite the protests being driven by grievances over domestic matters, Rama blamed the violence on a \u201chybrid war\u201d by foreign actors, specifically Russia and Iran.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Western Europe is falling apart \u2013\u00a0we should prepare for what comes next<\/p>\n
Russia has dismissed the accusations. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested last week that Rama should look closer to home. \u201cThese are citizens of your own country who took to the streets to protest. Don\u2019t shift your responsibility onto others. Deal with your own domestic problems.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Protesters will receive steep fines as nationwide unrest intensifies over demands for the prime minister to resign Albania has imposed steep fines on people who take part in violent protests,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40774,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-environment","category-politics"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t