Bomb threats sent to Albanian institutions allegedly from an email at a Saudi educational address

Several Albanian institutions received an electronic message today threatening planted explosive devices and terrorist attacks, the Albanian police reported, adding that preliminary information indicates the e-mail was sent from an address linked to an educational institution in Saudi Arabia.

Police say message resembles past incidents

In an official statement, authorities said the message is similar to previous cases in which threats were dispatched from compromised e-mail accounts belonging to students at foreign educational institutions. Police units are continuing to verify the origin and authenticity of the message and are working to identify its senders.

The threats come amid ongoing protests in Albania that have entered their seventh day. Student-led demonstrators launched a campaign demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing the government of corruption and neglecting the education sector.

The student protests follow months of largely peaceful demonstrations against the sale of a portion of Albania’s coastline for construction of a tourist complex linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The demonstrations have at times turned violent: protesters reportedly clashed with police, set fire to government buildings and banks, and caused damage to public and private property.

Albanian media say protests are taking place not only in Tirana but also in Lezha, Mirdita, Milot, Shkodër, Elbasan and Vlora. In some locations classes have been partially boycotted and attacks on institutions have been recorded.

Interior Minister Ervin Demo stated that so far a total of 295 people have been injured in the protests, including 186 members of the police forces. Yesterday Prime Minister Edi Rama accused Russia, Iran, the far-left movement "Antifa", political and religious extremists, and opposition leader Sali Berisha of being part of a complex network that is encouraging the protests to provoke violence and spread disinformation.

Meanwhile, MP Marjana Koceku, who left the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party and now serves as an independent lawmaker, sent an open letter to diplomatic missions expressing concern over what she described as excessive use of force by police, the beating of protesters while they lay on the ground, and improper treatment of those detained. The letter—published by Euronews Albania—was addressed to the delegations of the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Tirana, the U.S. Embassy in Albania, the Council of Europe office in Tirana, the United Nations resident coordinator, and the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the country. The document raises worries about alleged violations of the rights of persons taken to police stations.

Photo: press material from the event