Protests against the government/ Court rules eight arrests unlawful and orders the release of 11 protesters

The Tirana First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction has ordered the immediate release of 11 people detained during protests against the government. The ruling found that eight of the arrests were unlawful.

In an official statement published on October 22, 2026, the court said it had reviewed the prosecution’s requests concerning the legality of the arrests made in the act and the security measures to be imposed on the individuals under investigation.

Of the 11 cases reviewed, three arrests were found to be lawful and eight unlawful. Four people were ordered to report to the Judicial Police, while seven were released without any security measure.

The court found that the arrests of individuals identified by the initials L. M., A. B., F. L., Dh. H., D. D., B. T., K. P. and E. B. were unlawful. However, D. D. was ordered to report to the Judicial Police, in addition to the court finding the arrest unlawful.

The arrests of M. M., L. S. and E. G. were deemed lawful, but the only measure imposed on them was an obligation to report to the Judicial Police.

The individuals under investigation are suspected of the criminal offenses of “Organizing and participating in unlawful gatherings and demonstrations” and “Resisting an order from a Public Order Police officer.”

As for E. B., who is suspected of resisting a police officer, the court rejected the prosecution’s request. The arrest was declared unlawful, and the court ordered E. B.’s release without imposing a security measure.

Finally, the court ordered that all the individuals be released from the courtroom immediately, unless they are being held for another lawful reason.