A daily English summary of what Pas Perdes reported from Albania on 16 October 2026, as protests against the government continued in Tiranë and other cities.
Police beat a foreign media reporter in Tiranë
During a calm moment of the protest, several police vans arrived near the Bank of Albania and officers charged at protesters and media crews. A reporter working for a foreign outlet was surrounded, pushed to the ground and struck with batons while other journalists shouted that he was press. The officers withdrew after several moments, and the reporter confirmed to colleagues that he works for an international outlet.
Read the original in Albanian →
Students knocked to the ground and beaten — video
Pas Perdes published footage from Tiranë showing students being knocked down and beaten by police officers during the protest.
“Take off your uniforms”: protesters appeal to the police
After repeated interventions using force, pepper spray, water cannon and violent detentions, protesters called on officers to take off their uniforms. In one scene, a protester who was standing still was slammed to the ground, then dragged away while still being kicked.
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Korçë: lawyer intervenes as minors are detained
Tensions and clashes were reported at a protest in Korçë. According to footage and accounts from the scene, police carried out violent detentions, including of minors. A lawyer intervened as detainees were put into a police van, shouting at officers: “You are taking children! Let them protest!” Residents at the scene demanded the immediate release of those detained.
Read the original in Albanian →
Special prosecutors open investigation into former foreign minister Olta Xhaçka
Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) has formally placed former foreign minister Olta Xhaçka under investigation on suspicion of corruption and money laundering. The case is linked to the same investigation involving her husband, businessman Artan Gaçi. Xhaçka appeared at SPAK on 14 October but made no statement to the media; Gaçi was summoned the same day.
Read the original in Albanian →
AnalysisRama’s Facebook post: critics in the comments, and “giant” praise from accounts photographed in state offices
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to the protests on Facebook. The comments under his post were split between sharp criticism and a group praising him as a “giant”. Pas Perdes noticed that several supportive profiles use profile photos taken inside state administration offices. It cautions that without analysing the accounts it is impossible to say whether they are fake or coordinated, but asks how authentic online political debate really is.
Read the original in Albanian →
CommentaryWhen a news site acts as a public court
Pas Perdes criticised the portal Prapaskena for publishing an article that claims to identify people linked to a group allegedly planning violence in Tiranë, focusing on one named individual. The commentary argues that any evidence of planned violence must be verified and handled by the competent authorities, that violence is justified by no political cause, and that no media outlet can take the place of the courts by labelling individuals before claims are proven.
Read the original in Albanian →
Op-edPetro Lubonja: “Fear!”
Writer Petro Lubonja argues that social media has been flooded with commentary designed to spread fear among protesters. He recalls the 1973 Athens Polytechnic uprising against Greece’s military junta, where spreading fear was a known tool of repression, and calls for critical thinking and fact-checking in the face of images and claims circulating online.
Read the original in Albanian →
Watch the evidence: Pas Perdes keeps a public archive of videos documenting police violence during the 2026 protests. Video archive →
About this brief: Pas Perdes is an independent, non-partisan Albanian civic news and accountability portal. This brief summarises and translates our own reporting from Albanian; opinion and commentary pieces are labelled. Corrections and right of reply: contact us.
