Prime Minister Edi Rama, while presenting the new legislative package against violence and urban anarchy, outlined the six instruments included in the package, focusing particularly on compensation for affected businesses and financial liability for damage caused during public gatherings.
Rama stressed that the main principle of the package is that those who cause damage must pay for it. According to him, fines will be imposed based on individual conduct and may reach up to 500,000 Albanian lek for people who remain at a violent gathering even after being warned by the police.
“The first instrument: A normative act providing immediate compensation to small businesses. This act offers immediate financial support to those affected by vandalism, looting and fires. Under this measure, the state will cover 100% of material damage for the smallest businesses and at least 70% for larger ones, based on clearly defined criteria and always within the category of businesses with an annual turnover of up to €140,000.
Businesses have already submitted their applications, together with documentation of the damage, to the General Directorate of Taxation.
The principle is simple: whoever causes damage must pay for it. The burden will no longer fall exclusively on taxpayers and the state budget, as it has until now.
The law applies to all gatherings in public places, whether notified, prohibited or spontaneous, including sporting, cultural and festive events where material damage is caused to public or private property.
Naturally, without any doubt, no one will be required to pay for damage simply because they protested or were present at a gathering of any kind.
Liability for paying for damage arises solely from an individual’s own conduct. This law does not restrict freedom of assembly or expression.
However, anyone who participates in a violent gathering and fails to leave after a police warning will be held financially liable.
In other words, anyone who chooses to remain in a crowd or group, knowing that stones are being thrown, fires are being started, and property is being vandalised and destroyed around them, will face administrative penalties in the form of a fine, alongside those directly carrying out the violent acts. The fine may reach up to 500,000 Albanian lek.
Journalists, medical personnel, observers, employees performing their duties and passers-by are, of course, exempt from this rule.”
The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of responsibility for minors over the age of 14 who participate in violent protests.
“For minors over the age of 14 who participate in a violent protest, this fine will be paid by their parents or legal guardians, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Code. The fine will constitute an enforceable title that takes effect immediately,” Rama said.
The post Rama Explains Measures Against Violence: Fines of Up to 500,000 Lek for Those Who Remain at Violent Gatherings, Parents to Pay for Minors Over 14 appeared first on Euronews Albania.
