Police
Tirana protests: 9 arrested, including a German, 20 wanted; fireworks seller also detained
Police announced arrests after weekend clashes outside institutions, while the “Fireworks 2” operation turned up 47 packs of fireworks in a home on Zela Street.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 26, 2026, 09:46 · Updated 18:41 · 1 min read
In brief
- Nine people were arrested, two were charged without detention and 20 were declared wanted after clashes with the police.
- Those arrested include a 23-year-old German citizen; a 20-year-old was caught after violating house arrest.
- A 32-year-old was arrested in the act with 47 packs of fireworks he is suspected of selling to masked protesters.
Albania’s State Police on Monday morning announced the arrest of nine people after clashes during the weekend rallies in Tirana. According to the police, they are suspected of resisting and striking officers with hard objects and pyrotechnics and of damaging buildings of state institutions.
Those arrested have the initials A. K., 27, P. L., 45, E. B., 21, Sh. M., 19, O. C., 19, Z. M., 25, S. H., 20, K. M., 20, and M. L., 23, a German citizen. Two other people were charged, while 20 were declared wanted.
Broke house arrest
Police also detained E. D., 20, who according to the police had violated a house arrest order imposed for theft and is suspected of taking part in illegal acts during the Oct. 24 rally. A quantity of suspected cannabis was found in K. M.’s home and seized as evidence.
Operation “Fireworks 2”
In the afternoon, police said they had uncovered another home holding smuggled pyrotechnics. In the operation code-named “Fireworks 2,” economic and financial crime specialists arrested D. B., 32, in the act; 47 packs of fireworks were found in his home on Zela Street. He had neither a sales license nor documents for their purchase.
Investigators suspect the 32-year-old sold the fireworks to masked people who took part in Saturday’s rally, for use in violent acts. Police said they are working to identify others involved, and the case files were sent to prosecutors. Monday’s rally, the 14th day of the protest, passed without incident.
