The Police Oversight Agency (AMP) and the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office have opened an investigation into the eye injury suffered by 28-year-old Erjon Vishkulli after he was struck by a rubber bullet fired by police during yesterday’s student protest.
“Following the incident in which 28-year-old E. V. sustained an eye injury, the Director General of the State Police ordered the Professional Standards Directorate to immediately begin the relevant procedures to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the circumstances. The Police Oversight Agency and the Prosecutor’s Office have also opened an investigation into the case to establish the facts and formally document it,” the police statement said.
Të lidhura
None found
Meanwhile, an officer from the “Eagles” unit has also been suspended after brutally assaulting a young man during the protest. Although the protester was lying on the ground, the officer repeatedly struck him with a rubber baton.
“Meanwhile, following media reports of an incident in which a police officer appears to have exceeded his authority and failed to respect the principle of proportionality, the Director General of the State Police suspended Inspector A. K., an officer with the Special ‘Eagles’ Force, and the Professional Standards Directorate has opened an administrative investigation into his conduct,” the police said.
FULL POLICE STATEMENT:
Yesterday, the State Police called for calm and urged people to refrain from acts of violence during the protest planned for midday on 24.10.2026.
The Director General of the State Police also called on service commanders and officers deployed in the field to show restraint and apply the principle of proportionality when confronted with acts of violence. During the protest, which continued until the evening and spread to several parts of the capital, State Police officers were attacked for hours with stones, screws and metal balls, wooden and metal sticks, pyrotechnics, Molotov cocktails and gas canisters fitted with firecrackers, putting officers’ lives at risk. Five police officers were injured in attacks by masked and violent individuals.
Following the incident in which 28-year-old E. V. sustained an eye injury, the Director General of the State Police ordered the Professional Standards Directorate to immediately begin the relevant procedures to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the circumstances. The Police Oversight Agency and the Prosecutor’s Office have also opened an investigation into the case to establish the facts and formally document it. The State Police regrets the young man’s injury during the protest and wishes him a speedy recovery, as it does all citizens, journalists and police officers injured during the protests in Tirana.
Meanwhile, following media reports of an incident in which a police officer appears to have exceeded his authority and failed to respect the principle of proportionality, the Director General of the State Police suspended Inspector A. K., an officer with the Special “Eagles” Force, and the Professional Standards Directorate has opened an administrative investigation into his conduct. Protecting every citizen’s life, health and safety is a primary duty of the State Police, and every suspected case of an officer exceeding their authority will be investigated impartially and professionally. Respect for the law, proportionality in the use of force and individual accountability are non-negotiable principles in the performance of police duties. The State Police remains committed to tolerating no action that violates the law, citizens’ rights or the professional standards that must guide the work of every officer.
