A late-night protest outside Albania’s Prime Minister’s Office escalated into a clash between police forces and demonstrators, resulting in Adriatik Lapaj, leader of the “Shqipëria Bëhet” (Albania Is Made) movement, being urgently hospitalized.
According to reports, the incident occurred late Sunday night, when police intervened to disperse protesters gathered in front of the government building. During the confrontation, Lapaj was struck on the head by a gas canister and was immediately transported to the Trauma Hospital in Tirana for medical treatment.
Following the incident, Lapaj reacted through a Facebook post, stating that police attempted to remove protesters from the site after midnight, describing the intervention as a violation of his constitutional right to protest.
“I did not move when faced with the violent suppression of my constitutional right to express my opinion through protest,” Lapaj wrote, adding that one of the heaters deployed during the operation struck him, causing his injury.
Lapaj confirmed that he was undergoing medical examinations at the Trauma Hospital, but emphasized that he intends to return to the protest site once treated. He also called on citizens to join the demonstrations, urging continued resistance.
In his statement, Lapaj directly accused Prime Minister Edi Rama, saying he does not fear him and describing the government as “a criminal gang”, vowing that those responsible would be held accountable.
The incident has further intensified political tensions in Albania, raising renewed concerns over police conduct, freedom of assembly, and the treatment of opposition movements.
