Albanian Government Tightens Protest Laws as Crisis Deepens

Tirana Times, October 26, 2026 — Albania’s government has announced sweeping legal and financial penalties against anti-government protesters, including restrictions on foreign travel, signaling a tougher response to a student-led revolt that has plunged the country into its most serious political crisis in years. The measures include heavy fines, prison sentences, restrictions on public gatherings and a special police registry of people suspected of protest-related offenses. Announced Sunday by Prime Minister Edi Rama, the package comes as students continue to demand his unconditional resignation and disturbing footage of police violence raises serious questions about the government’s handling of the unrest.