Albanian activist movement and Tirana protests

In Albania, a movement of activists known as ‘flamingos’ has been accused of a pattern of intimidation and violence against various public figures. The tactics reportedly began with denigrating posters targeting artists and singers, later escalating to negative review campaigns against the tourism sector. Reports indicate that the movement has increasingly targeted journalists, civil society figures, and deputies through public denunciations and physical assaults. During the ‘Flamingo Revolution’ on October 5, 2026, journalist Bledi Mane was surrounded by approximately 30 protesters, including minors, who insulted him and struck him with a stone. The Union of Albanian Journalists (UGSH) described the attack as an “attack on freedom of thought.” Violence against media professionals has escalated, with SafeJournalists documenting at least 17 incidents during the first five days of mobilization involving both protesters and police. On October 18, 2026, the Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH) reported six specific incidents, five of which were linked to the State Police. Protests in Tirana escalated further on October 20, with demonstrators—including students and educators—targeting the Prime Minister's office with stones and Molotov cocktails to demand the resignation of Edi Rama. Police utilized tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. As of October 20, 2026, anti-government protests in Tirana have entered an eighth consecutive day. Official reports indicate that 295 people have been injured to date, including 186 police officers. On October 21, 2026, Claude Haagen, the Special Representative of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for South East Europe, expressed deep concern regarding the developments. Haagen called for accountability from all political actors, stating that violence has no place in a democratic society. He urged that acts of violence by protesters and any “excessive use of force by law enforcement” be investigated according to international human rights standards.