Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced new measures against people suspected of involvement in acts of violence during the protests, including the creation of an electronic registry and increased border controls.
According to Rama's idea, the registry would contain data on persons referred or under investigation for criminal offenses against the state and public order. Rama warned that persons who intend to evade punishments or legal measures may face restrictions on leaving Albania.
He went further, stating that Albanian authorities will inform host country structures and transport companies about persons they consider dangerous.
The proposal raises questions about respect for the presumption of innocence, the protection of personal data, and the legal criteria for restricting movement, especially when it comes to persons who are only under investigation.
Statement by Prime Minister Edi Rama:
"A special electronic registry will be created for persons referred or under investigation for criminal offenses against the state and public order."
It will be administered by the police and will keep records of these individuals.
The Border and Immigration Police, for any violator, will exercise the right granted by the law for state border control, to refuse exit from the country to persons who intend to evade punishments or measures for these offenses.
Host country structures will also be notified of the risk posed by these persons, including air, sea, and train transport companies.
Every perpetrator should be convinced, whether they live in Tirana or those who came from Spain yesterday as mercenaries to commit violence, that whoever commits violence in Albania will find it difficult to re-enter or remain in peace in Europe without having to deal with the law here in Tirana.
Calls for violence on social media, when identified by the police, will be followed by a notice to delete the post and not to repeat it, while also offering psychological support if needed.
If the post is not deleted, the police will act according to the law, including criminal prosecution.
Identifying masked people, hiding the identity of people at a protest is prohibited based on existing law. We will include it in the Criminal Code, following the French model.
Anyone caught with dangerous objects is punished with up to two years in prison. Wearing a mask to commit rape, hiding one's face is punishable by a fine or up to six months in prison.
There is no punishment for anyone who covers their face for religious or health reasons.
Incitement to violence on social media is also punishable when the incitement creates a real and imminent danger. The punishment is more severe when the incitement is directed at children or violence occurs after it.
Journalism and political appeals are not punished in any way.
Online or public intimidation is punished as a broader offense. Videos faked with artificial intelligence, with a person's face, become a criminal offense. Satire is not punished when it is marked as such.”
