Sander Lleshaj

Albanians are calling for better beach security and protection after a series of accidents and disasters, the latest being the death of a seven-year-old child on Tuesday, killed by a speedboat that was passing near where people were swimming.

Prime Minister Edi Rama has dismissed the concern, however, saying that "until yesterday, this has been the most secure [summer] season".

Albania protester threw a stone against police in this photo of 10 December 2020 in Tirana. Photo: LSA

Prime Minister Edi Rama dismissed suggestions that the fatal shooting of the unarmed citizen was a result of a police culture of violence and called the event "an isolated one" - while announcing that Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj had offered his resignation.

Protest against police violence in Tirana on December 9, 2020. Photo: LSA

Hundreds joined separate protests in Tirana, Shkodra, Durres, Bulqiza and other towns, some demanding the resignation of Sander Lleshaj, the Minister of Interior.

Albania has officially banned street protests due to the COVID-19 pandemic but people across the county on Wednesday defied the orders.

Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj, Prime Minister Edi Rama and the police in general faced growing criticism on Wednesday for the force used to disperse protests in Tirana on Sunday against the demolition of the National Theatre.

Alleged Gulenist Selami Simsek was held in an Albanian police van without official insignia near the interior ministry on Monday evening. Photo: Gjergj Erebara/BIRN

Austrian Airlines plane on Tirana International Airport on April 9, 2019. The plane was attacked by armed robbers who left the scene with millions of euros. Photo: Malton Dibra/LSA

Tirana International Airport SHPK, owned by Hong Kong-based China Everbright Limited, claimed that responsibility for responding to such major security breaches lay with the Albanian police.

One of Albania's most wanted drug traffickers surrendered to police on Tuesday after almost three years on the run on charges of smuggling narcotics by neighboring Greece.