TIRANA, Nov. 11 – Strong clashes were registered in the early morning hours in Tirana’s Astir area, where the Territorial Defense Inspectorate (IKMT) had planned the start of demolition of several buildings affected by the new Ring Road construction project.
Numerous police forces appeared in support of the Inspectorate’s intervention, encountering strong opposition from some of the residents.
According to a Tirana Police announcement, “a group of residents have been violently opposed by IKMT and police officers. Residents have attacked with stones, solid items and molotov bombs police officers, who were there doing their duty. As a result of the attack five police officers from the HNF, Eagles and General Patrols were injured and were sent for medical assistance to the military hospital.”
Police also used tear gas to repel residents opposing the intervention. Some residents are reported to have been escorted to the police station. The situation has since calmed down and no further clashes have been recorded.
“State police are urging residents to distance themselves from violence and not fall prey to provocations, as they will face legal consequences. Also, the State Police calls on the citizens present at the New Ring not to urge the residents to attack the Police forces and to avoid misinformation,” the police statement underlines.
President Ilir Meta sided with the residents.
In a Facebook post, he says it is ” today’s repeated violence against New Ring residents who are protesting in defense of their homes and property is unacceptable. The arrogance in the face of the misery and trauma that has been inflicted on these families for months is intolerable,” the Head of State writes as he urged residents “to remain calm and not be subject to provocations and the parties to sit down immediately in dialogue.”
According to IKMT there are 33 objects that are expected to be demolished at this stage. For 21 of them the expropriation procedure has been applied while the rest are reported to have been disqualified from the possibility of legalization.
Tensions in this area of the capital have continued since last year, when the first interventions to build the New Ring began. The project was halted after it was discovered that in one of the lots, the winning company DH Albania had forged the documents submitted in the competition.
The authorities then undertook the project as they conducted a new tender.
