Risk to the lives of judges and prosecutors / Police response

Response of the Tirana Local Police Directorate

Regarding the letter forwarded and made public by the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime concerning the situation on February 12, 2025, near the building of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, the Tirana Local Police Directorate informs as follows:

Firstly, this is a practice that has not occurred before, where law enforcement agencies communicate through the media, while institutional communication channels have been not only more than sufficient but also fully effective. For the nature and objectives of our joint work, institutional communication is essential.

Secondly, the building where the Special Prosecutor’s Office and the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime operate is protected and secured by the Guard of the Republic of Albania, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 33/2021 “On the Guard of the Republic of Albania”, Article 12, paragraph 2, letter “d”, and Council of Ministers Decision No. 507, dated 27.07.2022, “On an amendment to Council of Ministers Decision No. 597, dated 13.10.2021, ‘On the determination of other personalities and objects that are secured and protected by the Guard of the Republic of Albania,’ paragraph 1.”

Specifically, we clarify that on February 11, 2025, the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, through letter No. 14 directed to the Tirana Local Police Directorate, requested the escort of individuals E. V. and E. A. from the Security Block of Tirana to the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime on February 12, 2025, for the judicial hearing to verify the conditions regarding the application of the security measure.

Based on the request from the Special Court, the responsible structures of the Tirana Local Police Directorate, in support and implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure “Treatment and Security of Arrested/Detained Persons in the State Police Facilities, Registration and Resolution of Their Requests/Complaints” approved by Order No. 1720, dated 20.11.2023, of the General Director of the State Police, and the Standard Operating Procedure “Treatment and Security of Arrested/Detained Persons in the ‘Security Block’ of the Tirana Local Police Directorate, Registration and Resolution of Their Requests/Complaints” approved by Order No. 502, dated 09.05.2022, of the General Director of the State Police, issued the service order on February 12, 2025, for the escort of the detained/arrested individuals, taking necessary measures and planning the required police services.

The escort and arrival at the Special Court’s premises were registered in the Management and Control Room without any issues.

We emphasize that the State Police did not receive any notification from individuals or entities, nor did it gather any information or data regarding possible gatherings near the SPAK building. In this context, no action plan was prepared, but the Tirana Local Police Directorate assessed the situation and took measures by responding in a timely manner, deploying a significant number of police officers.

At 08:25, near the intersection of the roads leading to the SPAK building and its entire perimeter, the General Patrol, Community Policing Assistant Specialist, Crime Investigation Specialist, Special Operations Assistant Specialist, Traffic Police services, and the “Shqiponja” Special Forces were added. A total of 77 police officers were engaged in maintaining public order and safety during the judicial hearing. Throughout this time, these forces were under the leadership of the Chief of Police Station No. 3, as well as other leaders of the respective structures, while the Head of the Security and Escort Sector was deployed inside the Court’s premises.

The judicial hearing began calmly, continued normally, and concluded without any problems. Neither the State Police services, nor the Guard of the Republic inside the Special Court’s premises, nor the prosecutors, judges, or lawyers reported any concerns or requested assistance in maintaining order and security in the internal or external areas of the Court.

The Tirana Local Police Directorate emphasizes that it did not receive any written or verbal notification or phone call directed to the Management and Control Room of the Tirana Local Police Directorate, where employees of the Guard of the Republic or any other entity reported any disruption to public order or security violations around or within the Special Court’s building.

According to the law on “Gatherings” No. 8773, dated 23.04.2001, Article 2, paragraph 5 defines “Gatherings” as assemblies, demonstrations, meetings, and parades with a peaceful and unarmed character, in which a group of people express their demands and opinions on issues of their interest, and includes urgent gatherings as well. When groups of people gather spontaneously and do not disturb public order, their activity does not fall under the definition of a gathering.

As observed, citizens on February 12 gathered spontaneously and without disturbing public order, and for these reasons, the standard procedure for gatherings was not applied for establishing a police cordon, which would have been unnecessary and impossible due to the spontaneous and unannounced nature of the gathering.

In the case of other gatherings referenced in the letter made public, we inform you that these were pre-announced gatherings, and information was available not only about the location of the gathering but also regarding the possible use of force by the protesters. As a result, the standard procedure of perimeter limitation and the establishment of a police cordon was applied according to the Action Plan for gatherings announced by the organizers or those for which specific information was secured regarding their development.

Additionally, we emphasize that no problems were reported by the police services stationed near the perimeter of the Special Court and SPAK regarding the movement of judges, prosecutors, or other administrative staff.

Regarding cooperation with the Guard of the Republic, there can be no doubt that the State Police is and will remain fully cooperative, coordinating actions and exchanging information related to securing personalities or objects under the protection of the Guard, as was the case with the entry of a female individual with disabilities into the perimeter, who was escorted and processed according to the law by the Police.

Nevertheless, referring to the claims in the above-mentioned letter, the Directorate of Professional Standards has initiated an administrative investigation to evaluate the measures taken by the responsible authorities and to identify the responsibility of each police structure involved in this service if any flaws are identified.

Finally, the State Police emphasizes that it is fully committed to cooperation and joint action with any law enforcement institution to guarantee public order and security and protect the lives and health of justice officials in fulfilling their institutional duties.

CREATED by:

“KORÇA BOOM”