Albanian Court Leaves 9 in Prison Over Violent Highway Protest

Tirana, Apr 05 (Tirana Echo) – An Albanian Court has left 9 in prison after 23 protesters were arrested over burning down toll point at Albania Kosovo highway earlier this week.

The Court of Kukës which was gathered in Albania’s capital Tirana for security reasons, released 10 of the arrested, and left 9 in prison as well as 2 on house arrest.

Over 100 police officers were engaged in sealing off the court area and blocked access to opposition MPs who wanted to enter the court room.

The court’s decision follows last week’s protest from Albania’s northern towns and from Kosovo who Tirana’s decision to introduce a toll fee on the highway linking Albania and Kosovo.

The Albanian government started charging a €10 Euro roundtrip fee for normal cars and up to €23 Euros for large trucks, in what is seen as a highly unpopular measure by travelers in both neighboring countries.

Local residents blocked the highway and later burned down the toll cabins, prompting the arrest of 23 persons overnight, in what has been a heavily criticized police operation.

Albania’s opposition has said it will not stop protesting until all protesters are released from prison.