New Protests over Fatal Police Shooting as Interior Minister Resigns in Albania

The interior minister, Sander Lleshaj
has resigned amid demonstrations after police fatally shot a young man during the overnight curfew in Albania on Tuesday.
“My decision comes as a person and as a parent who modestly shares pain with the parents and children of Klodian Rasha’s family, but also as expressions of gratitude and respect for those who trusted me,” Lleshaj said on Facebook on Thursday.
The minister had previously said police were investigating how the fatal shooting occurred and expressed his “deepest condolences for the tragic loss”.
Klodian Rasha, 25, was shot dead near his home in the capital Tirana after not responding to police calls to stop.
An officer, who was later suspended pending an investigation, has reportedly stated that he opened fire because he believed the man had a weapon in his hands.
“I express my full confidence that responsible legal bodies will quickly, accurately and directly finalise investigations into the murder of Klodian Rasha,” Lleshaj had said on Facebook.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Edi Rama confirmed he has accepted the resignation of interior minister Sander Lleshaj.
Several hundred demonstrators gathered outside Albanian government buildings in the capital on Thursday for a second consecutive night and violent clashes overwhelmed the capital.
Police fired tear gas to disperse the violent crowds.
Earlier President, Ilir Meta said that the “tragic” incident had “deeply shaken” everyone in the country, and blamed officials for increasing police violence.
“In the last two years… acts of extreme and inappropriate violence by certain state police have escalated,” Meta said in a Facebook post.
Speaking on Thursday, Rama stressed that the fatal shooting was reprehensible, but has nothing to do with the general spirit and work of Albanian police.
Protests were held in other parts of Albania and they turned violent in Korca, southeastern Albania on Thursday.