Students and four civil society organizations have taken the government's punitive package for the protests to the Constitutional Court, demanding the suspension of measures that, according to them, threaten peaceful participants with heavy fines, movement restrictions, and police control.
The groups "Students in Protest" and "Student Revolution", together with the Res Publica Center, the Albanian Helsinki Committee, the Ornithological Society of Albania and EcoAlbania, have filed three complaints against normative acts no. 5 and 6 and the Council of Ministers no. 815/2026, approved on October 28. They request priority review, before fear of punishment deters participation in the protests.
"These acts aim to narrow the last democratic space we have left: the right to protest, to oppose injustice, and to raise our voices," the students declare.
The package came after the escalation of the October protests, accompanied by clashes, property damage and violent police intervention. In addition to the throwing of stones and Molotov cocktails by protesters, there were dozens of cases of police violence for the disproportionate use of force and the violation of the rights of those escorted.
Even on October 24, young Erjon Vishkulli ended up in the hospital with a serious eye wound after being hit by a rubber bullet fired by police. His bloody appearance was just one of many cases where other protesters testified to the injuries they had received during the protest from rubber bullets.
But while an investigation into police violence was being demanded, Rama defended the police and the government set a reward of 2,500 euros for the officers involved. The Prime Minister also warned of the removal of scholarships and financial support for students who, according to him, had committed violence.
In presenting the package on October 25, Rama declared that “peaceful protest is protected, violence is punished and the damage is paid by the perpetrator.” But he also proposed penalties for people who do not commit violence themselves, if they remain in the rally after police warnings.
"Anyone who chooses to continue to remain in a crowd or group, knowing that they are being stoned, burned with fire, broken and destroyed around them, will be held administratively accountable through a fine," he said.
The fine that the government is warning of reaches up to 500 thousand lek. According to the students, this punishment, together with the prohibitory perimeters, “protected zones” and interference in social networks, makes the protest practically impossible. They also oppose the permanent amendment of the law “On Assemblies” by a normative act, without proving the urgency, while the Parliament was functioning.
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The second complaint concerns financial liability. The organizations support compensation for businesses, but oppose the joint and several liability of organizers for damages to others and retroactive measures for the events of October 13–22.
"No one pays for damages because they protested or were present at a gathering of any kind," Rama had declared. The petitioners argue that the approved act creates the risk of punishment without proven individual guilt.
The third complaint challenges the police register for persons referred or under investigation and the consequences on travel abroad.
"Whoever violates Albania will find it difficult to re-enter or remain peaceful in Europe," Rama warned.
For applicants, a police referral cannot replace a court decision.
"The presumption of innocence does not only protect the defendant in the courtroom," they emphasize, calling for a ban on measures that treat citizens as guilty before justice has been served.
Punitive measures imposed by the government for the protest
-Fines of up to 500 thousand lek for remaining at gatherings where violence is practiced, after police warnings.
-Fines from 10 thousand to 100 thousand lek for participating in gatherings deemed unauthorized and disobeying calls to leave.
-Fine of 5 thousand lek per participant for blocking traffic.
-Restriction of gatherings for up to 72 hours near certain institutions, when a real and imminent risk of violence is assessed.
-Police request to delete calls for violence on the internet, with further legal action in case of disobedience.
-Electronic police record, with foreseen consequences for traveling abroad and notification of foreign authorities.
-Financial liability for damages, with obligations for parents or guardians in cases provided for minors.
-Up to two years in prison for weapons or dangerous items during gatherings.
-Fine or up to six months in prison for hiding one's face at gatherings with violence or a concrete risk of violence, with relevant exceptions.
-Suspension or dismissal from duty for teachers who use their professional authority to involve minors in gatherings contrary to their interests.
