Child’s killing at beach sparks anger, protests

Tirana Times
By Tirana Times August 5, 2022 11:49

Child’s killing at beach sparks anger, protests

TIRANA, Aug. 5, 2022 - The killing of a 7-year-old girl on a beach by a speedboat driven by an off-duty police officer has led to anger, protests and calls for an end to the culture of impunity that makes Albania’s beaches and roads unsafe. 

Civil society activists say they are holding a second protest Monday until more accountability is shown by the government over the death of the British-Albanian child in Himara’s Potam Beach. 

Another protest took place earlier this week saw thousands of people march in front of the Interior Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office. Albanian social media has also been seething all week, with calls for government ministers and the prime minister himself to resign over the incident. 

Support and condolences have also poured in for the family of Jonada Avdia, who had come to Albania on vacation with her UK-based Albanian family.  

A Vlora Court kept former police commissioner Arjan Tase in jail while awaiting trial as prosecutors are trying to increase the severity of the charges following massive public pressure.

On Aug. 2, Tase drove a speedboat in a swimming section of the beach, hitting the child swimming nearby with the propellers and instantly killing her. 

The Police Supervision Agency had referred to the driving as "manslaughter by negligence" but according to the Vlora prosecutor's office, he is to be charged with "murder committed in the form of indirect intent." Under the higher charge, he can face up to 20 years in prison. 

According to the Prosecutor's Office of Vlora, "the driver of the boat appears to have had a license and was aware of the danger he posed to the citizens when he entered the beach security perimeter."

Tirana Times
By Tirana Times August 5, 2022 11:49