Armand Shkullaku

Lapsi.al editors and co-owners Andi Bushati and Armand Shkullaku after meeting prosecutors at the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, who ordered them to hand over the controversial database. Photo: LSA

Albanian opposition protesters attack the offices of Prime Minister Edi Rama on February 16, 2019. Photo: Armand Shkullaku/LSA.

Police said they planned to deploy about 1,200 officers in Tirana to deal with fears of violence, and warned journalists to wear gas masks to avoid tear gas inhalation.

The leader of Albania's opposition Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, has criticised the departure of the two editors and the layoffs of several other journalists, saying it was a bad news for the media.

He accused some media outlets in Albania of making an alliance with the government to gain power and money.