Protesters took to the streets of Tirana on Friday and Sunday after a 32-year-old man died in police custody last week, sparking outrage and public political spats.
According to reports, police stopped Lear Kurti and asked him to identify himself, but he refused to cooperate and ran away from them. Police later arrested him and took him to the police station. He reported not feeling well and was taken to the Trauma Hospital. Doctors said he was dead upon arrival, while police said he was still alive when they left him there.
“The patient with the initials LK came to the hospital without signs of life. In such cases, the University Trauma Hospital notifies the Tirana Morgue, and then the procedure for forensic expertise is followed by them,” stated the Trauma Hospital.
However, members of the opposition published a photo appearing to show the man receiving treatment in the hospital although it has not been verified.
The Institute of Forensic Medicine said a torn white bag measuring 5cm x 5cm was found in his stomach and it is suspected to be narcotic packaging. The investigation is ongoing but the officers who were involved in his arrest have been suspended until the matter is concluded.
Prosecutors said there were no signs of violence on his body.
Adding to the uncertainty around Kurti’s death, videos published in the media have appeared to show the man walking and talking on his phone and then the police pursuing him, thus contradicting police accounts. It appears he is unconscious shortly after before being lifted up by the arms of police.
Prime Minister Edi Rama called those behind the accusations “hyenas” who “only seek chaos, conflict, and blood if possible”. He also said they are “doing Russia’s duty” and called on people to wait for the outcome of all investigations.
During the protests on Sunday, called by the opposition, a small group of protestors threw tomatoes and flour at officers and demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Bledi Cuci. Others lit candles in memory of Kurti and said they will protest again on Monday.
In December 2020, policeman Nevaldo Hajdari shot and killed 25-year-old Klodian Rasha as he ran away after being caught violating the COVID-19 curfew.
The police tried to cover up the crime by saying he had a weapon, but this was found to be false following the release of CCTV footage.
This led to a series of protests, which saw the eruption of conflict between officers and the public, and the use of tear gas. Then-Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj also resigned as a result.
