Tirana, October 16, 2026

Today, we will present the preliminary findings from the monitoring conducted by the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture—operating under the Office of the Ombudsman—during the protests over the past four days. I wish to emphasize that these are preliminary findings; each case is currently being verified individually.

First, I would like to clarify the mandate of the Ombudsman and the Mechanism. The Mechanism has the legal authority to conduct unannounced visits to any location where an individual is deprived of their liberty, including police stations, holding facilities, pre-trial detention centers, and healthcare institutions. Furthermore, the Ombudsman reviews complaints regarding abuse by any public body, including the State Police.

This mandate serves to protect the rights of everyone involved: protesters, bystanders, business owners who suffered damages, as well as police officers themselves.

However, the Constitution limits this mandate to monitoring, documenting the facts, and issuing recommendations. The Constitution does not empower us to take direct action against officers who abuse their authority. For such purposes, the law provides for other mechanisms that possess the necessary powers and resources. In this context, I would like to report that over the last 72 hours, our teams have been present at police stations No. 1 through No. 6 in Tirana, the Security Block (detention facility), the Trauma Hospital, as well as at police stations in Korça, Vlora, and Shkodra.

During the last 72 hours, we have been in contact with 214 individuals deprived of their liberty. We have held confidential conversations with those detained, arrested, or injured, as well as with doctors and psychologists. At the Trauma Hospital, on October 14 and 15, 128 individuals received medical attention: 86 police officers, 38 protesters, and 5 minors. We interviewed a significant number of them and recorded their complaints.

The right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the Constitution. Protesters must exercise this right peacefully. We condemn all acts of violence—violence against police officers, violence against protesters, and the destruction of public or private property, including businesses.

The state has an obligation to maintain order, and the police have both the right and the duty to use force when necessary, in a proportionate manner.

Any officer who uses force must be identifiable. Identification protects citizens from abuse and shields police officers from unfounded accusations.

Complaints. In recent days, we have received complaints regarding plainclothes police officers who lacked identification markings. This matter will be addressed as a priority. Other complaints concerned the use of force during detention, the failure to provide medical care, and the exceeding of time limits for security measures (detention periods).

Minors. Minors are a priority in our work. Our commissioners have processed their statements, which were provided in the presence of a clinical psychologist at the Trauma Hospital. We are currently verifying reports concerning approximately 12 minors who were held in isolation within the premises of a ministry. This case is under investigation, and we will report our findings to you.

Observations during monitoring. In all the police stations inspected, the facilities were operating beyond capacity. Conditions in the Security Detention Unit are unacceptable. We found detainees sharing a single bed or sleeping on foam mattresses on the floor. There is a lack of blankets and heating. Drinking water was provided by family members. Soap and toilet paper are unavailable. Medical services are inadequate to meet the high volume of needs. We have identified instances where detained minors were questioned without the presence of a parent, guardian, or psychologist. This does not comply with legal requirements or international standards for the protection of children.

We observed individuals with visible signs of violence. In the case of 26 people held in the Security Unit, these allegations and physical signs have been documented in our official observation records.

The logs used to record detained individuals were incomplete, lacking full information.

In light of the above, we call upon the State Police to ensure the full identification of officers involved in every operation, and to keep minors separated from adults at all times. We also urge the Ministry of the Interior to make immediate improvements to the Security Unit—ensuring the availability of water, food, beds, heating, and hygiene facilities, as well as the constant presence of a medical professional.

In closing, I wish to reiterate this call: any person who has experienced violence or harm—whether a citizen, a protester, a business owner, or a police officer—may reach out to the Ombudsman. The National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NPMT) will continue its monitoring efforts in the field.