Albania: Human rights abuses by police

This paper documents a number of incidents of police abuses which have taken place since May 1993, based on media reports and testimony by witnesses or victims. Most such incidents have occurred in the context of anti-government demonstrations by the Socialist Party, including those at Kucova on 9 May, Peshkopia on 23 May and Tirana on 30 July. Police violence has also been reported at demonstrations in Gjirokaster on 25 and 30 June following the arrest and deportation of Archimandrite Chrysostomos, and at a demonstration in Tirana on 10 June by 50 former property owners on hunger-strike. It also refers to the cases of deaths in custody of Romeo Gace, David Leka and Pal Zef Qokaj, where police officers are reported to be under investigation.

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