Albania increases security over Easter weekend amid terror threats

Tirana, Albania | Tirana Echo – Albania has strengthened its anti terror measures over Easter weekend amid increased threats, say Albanian police.

A statement Friday said that an increased police presence would be seen in churches and other religious places, in the streets and the border crossing points “to prevent criminal events … and events of terrorist character.”

It is not clear why security has been increased or if there has been any warning, however, reports have circulated in Albania of a possible assassination attempt on the country’s opposition leader Lulzim Basha, from possible foreign elements who could seek to destabilize the small religiously tolerant Balkan nation.

Similar reports have also been heard in Kosovo which has also increased security measures over the weekend.

The U.S. Embassy in Albania has urged U.S. citizens “to exercise particular caution, particularly on crowded areas.”

On its website it writes that “terrorists in the region have previously sought to attack soft targets, to include churches and other places of worship, pedestrian malls, sports arenas, concert halls, and public gatherings.”

Albania, a country of several religions proud of their cohabitation model, has a a largely nominal Muslim-dominated population, but during its atheist communist times managed to eradicate religious extremism.

The country has been very successful in identifying and blocking any rare terrorist attempts to attack the small peaceful Balkans country.