Albania: Legislators face law for flouting virus rules

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – Three parliamentarians in Albania were fined by police on Friday for not wearing face masks in public.

Wearing masks in public places is mandatory under the country’s COVID-19 measures and carries an initial fine of 3,000 Albanian lek ($28), which can go up to 5,000 Albanian lek ($47) for a repeat offense.

A video of police officers confronting legislators Florenc Spaho, Alban Zeneli, and Kujtim Gjuzi outside the parliament building in the capital Tirana was widely shared on social media.

It shows the lawmakers trying to hurriedly put on their masks as they see the approaching cops.

The gesture, though, proved to be too little, too late as they were handed down fines by the officers.

Albania has ramped up efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus as its case count is now over 16,200, including 439 deaths.