From 18:00 on Sunday, the state police will be on heightened alert for the national protest announced by the opposition on Monday. The readiness will last until a second order, while for days the blue uniforms have started drafting the plan of security measures for the success of the national gathering of the opposition.
For this reason, the new police chief Ilir Proda called a meeting on Sunday afternoon with the leaders of the Tirana police and the chiefs of police stations. In the meantime, information has been requested from the directorates in the districts on the organizations, the number of people who are expected to participate in the gathering and the identification of individuals who may pose a risk to public safety.
Sources indicate that the police has provided information on operational roads on the axes that are expected to be blocked, where according to the data vehicle tires or garbage cans may be burnt as a symbolic sign.
The prime minister’s office, the parliament and the municipality of Tirana will also be covered by police services and special forces. On the other hand, the plan of measures foresees groups of order services and mobile special forces depending on the problems that will appear or for the diversion of road traffic. Water cannons and other crowd dispersal devices are also expected to be deployed in some areas as the protest does not have a clear agenda. Meanwhile, in an official announcement, the state police called on citizens to avoid driving at the intersections entering Tirana and those inside the capital.
Meanwhile, the blue uniforms appeal to the organizers, leaders, participants in the rally and representatives of political subjects, to exercise their right in accordance with the Constitution and legislation in force and to distance themselves from any act that threatens public safety and life and any act of violence against institutions state, public and private property, to Police employees, media representatives and citizens.
Depending on the development of the rally, there may be vehicle traffic restrictions on the following roads:
Cafe “Europa” – Segment “Unknown Soldier” up to 9 floors;
School “1 Maji” – the intersection of the ATSH bridge to the Elbasani road;
Crossing of the Artistic High School to the Faculty of Foreign Languages;
“Skenderbej” Square, Tirana Municipality and Palace of Culture;
Crossroads of the University Book;
The intersection of December 21 to the “Sabaudin Gabrani” school;
Crossroads in the former Block area, “Ibrahim Rugova” street and “Ismail Qemali” street;
“Black Bird” roundabout;
Crossing at the former train station;
Taiwan Bridge Crossing;
The intersection of Kavaja street with the entrance to “Skënderbej” square;
Crossing of the bridge of the former hotel “Dajti”;
Crossing of 9-storeys with Barricades Street;
“Dritan Hoxha” street, in front of the place called “Kupola”;
Palace Crossing with Arrows.