Illegal constructions’ demolition met with anger

TIRANA, June 21 – Albania’s authorities have started a cleaning operation along the country’s southern coast, which includes demolishing hundreds of buildings built illegally or that do not possess the proper documentation.
The authorities had to be accompanied by police as people in many cases used force or civil disobedience to stop the process.
Many Albanians have thrown their life savings into bars, restaurants or hotels built on the shore, illegally. Others claim they are entitled to that property but do not present the proper documentation.
The process is headed by Gjergj Bojaxhi, head of the construction police, who was present at the operation.
There are questions about why the government chose the middle of the tourist season for the demolitions and why the authorities were spontaneous in applying the law.