Ombudsman checks police violence complaints after protest arrests

Albania’s ombudsman is reviewing 10 complaints accusing police of using excessive force against detained protesters.

The institution said its teams have monitored police stations in Tirana and the Trauma Hospital since the first day of detentions and arrests linked to the protests.

Staff interviewed detained and injured protesters at police stations 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as at the Security Block in Tirana.

The ombudsman said none of the detainees interviewed by Friday had complained of violence while held at the Security Block.

After a new claim that a protester was beaten inside the facility, the ombudsman sent one team to interview the man in hospital and another to check the Security Block. The findings will be made public after the checks are completed.