Albania stiffens penalties for blood feuds, domestic violence

Domestic violence resulting in serious injury will carry a jail term of 20 years to life, from the current five-year sentence.
TIRANA, June 4 – Albania’s government has introduced tougher penalties for murder and other serious crimes in an effort to combat blood feuds, domestic violence and widespread illegal weapons possession.
Justice Minister Eduard Halimi announced the new guidelines Tuesday at a news conference. The move raises penalty ranges for murder from 25 to 38 years, and illegal weapons possession from seven to 15 years נboth without the right to seek parole. Domestic violence resulting in serious injury will carry a jail term of 20 years to life, from the current five-year sentence. Parliament had approved the tougher sentencing in May.
High crime rates in former Communist Albania are considered a major concern ahead of the June 23 general election and are often blamed on widespread illegal weapons possession, dating back to the 1997 uprising that led to the looting of army caches.