State Police has arrested so far a total of 16 people, who took part in yesterday's protest for the galloping price increase in Tirana and 5 more are also being prosecuted without getting detained.

The arrested are: Emiliano Çervenaku, Amarildo Zaimi, Vilian Pjetri, Ernest Kapo, Gjovan Pjetri, Saimir Rrahmani, Pellumb Sina, Eldo Nezha, Elvis Leka, Mirton Dedndreaj, Artemis Marku, Armir Nelaj, Endri Ahmeti, Sheme Hamitaj and Bhis Lakna.

They are charged with the criminal offenses "Organizing and participating in illegal gatherings and demonstrations", "Breaking public order", "Disobeying the order of a public order police officer" and "Obstructing the circulation of vehicles", committed in collaboration.

Police say it is working on the identification and arrest of other persons involved in this protest, while appealing to citizens not to engage in acts of violence and not to block the free movement of vehicles and citizens.

Meanwhile, the materials were forwarded to the Prosecutor's Office of the Tirana Judicial District, for further procedural actions.

"They called for rallies, blocked the streets and opposed the police officers during yesterday's protest, 16 citizens were arrested in flagrante delicto and 5 other citizens were prosecuted.

The investigative structures of the Local Police Directorate of Tirana and the Commissariats under it, under the direction of the Prosecutor's Office of the Tirana Judicial District, at the end of the first investigative actions carried out in relation to the protest held on March 9, 2022, based on evidence arrested, arrested for the criminal offenses "Organizing and participating in illegal gatherings and demonstrations", "Breaking public order", "Disobeying the order of a public order police officer" and "Obstructing the circulation of vehicles", committed in cooperation, citizens: - E. Ç., 21 years old, AZ, 22 years old, VP, 23 years old, EK, 27 years old, Gj. P., 22 years old, S. Rr., 33 years old, PS, 22 years old, EN, 22 years old, EL, 25 years old, MD, 43 years old, AM, 32 years old, AN, 23 years old, EA, 20 years old, Sh . M., 25 years old, Xh. L., 25, and B. L., 28.

The following citizens were prosecuted: - E. H., 20 years old, E. P., 23 years old, A. A., 36 years old, M. K., 20 years old, and E. V., 22 years old.

The investigative structures of the Local Police Directorate of Tirana, under the direction of the Prosecution, continue the work to identify and apprehend other persons involved in illegal acts during the protest of March 9, 2022”, said law enforcement.