PM declares police officer a Martyr

Albania's prime minister has declared a police officer killed in a shootout a "Martyr of the Homeland" – the country's highest honour for those who die on duty.

Officer Enea Mekolli died during an operation to arrest a long-wanted fugitive in the mountains of southern Albania. A second officer was wounded.

The suspect – a former soldier who had been on the run for years and had a court ruling against him for narcotics offences – was also shot and is now in custody.

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the perpetrator should face the maximum punishment. The "Martyr" title was originally created for those who fell in wartime but is now increasingly used for police killed in the line of duty.