Albanian authorities try to deter protests over police shooting

A Christmas tree on fire near the Prime’s Minister office during clashes in Tirana, Albania (AP/Hektor Pustina)

Albanian authorities have urged respect for a ban on public gatherings amid the coronavirus crisis, ahead of a planned protest over the fatal police shooting of a man during curfew hours.

The appeal came after violent demonstrations in central Tirana, where hundreds of people clashed with police and tried to enter government buildings. Authorities said 16 police and two demonstrators were injured.