Courts
Tirana court frees protester O. Ç.: must report to police and stay away from protests
The young man from Dibra, arrested on Oct. 29, is suspected of destroying property and taking part in unlawful gatherings.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
November 1, 2026, 18:00 · Updated 19:05 · 1 min read
In brief
- The court ordered the immediate release of O. Ç., arrested in the act during the Oct. 29 protest.
- He is suspected under Articles 150 and 263 of the Criminal Code.
- He must report on the first Monday of every month and may not go to areas where rallies are held.
The Tirana Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction on Sunday ordered the immediate release of a protester identified by the initials O. Ç., who had been arrested in the act on Oct. 29 during protests in the capital, Top Channel reported, citing a court press release.
The court reviewed the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office’s request to assess the legality of the arrest and set a personal security measure. According to the release, O. Ç. is suspected of “destruction of property” and “organizing and taking part in unlawful gatherings and demonstrations,” offenses under Articles 150 and 263 of the Criminal Code.
Three obligations for the defendant
Instead of detention, the court imposed an “obligation to report” with several conditions. He must report to the judicial police of the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office on the first Monday of every month at 11 a.m. He may not leave the administrative unit in Dibra where he lives without the court’s permission and may not go to areas where rallies or protests are held.
The decision comes as Tirana courts handle a series of requests for security measures against protesters arrested during three weeks of student protests. Also on Sunday, police announced six new arrests over violence at Saturday’s protest, including on a charge of attempted murder of a police officer.
O. Ç. remains only a suspect, and the case continues with the prosecutors’ investigation. The release does not give his full name or age.
