Murder of 14-year-old sparks heated parliamentary debate

The killing of a 14-year-old student from one of Tirana’s well-known schools has ignited fierce debate in the Albanian Parliament. The opposition is demanding the resignation of the Minister of Education and Sport, blaming the government for a surge in school-related violence. Meanwhile, the ruling majority urges that such a tragedy should not be politicized.

Why is this important: The murder marks the fourth case this year where teenagers have fallen victim to peer violence. In most cases the violence has been fueled by disputes that began on social media. Although none of these killings occurred inside school grounds, the rising violence among adolescents has alarmed the public and highlighted the urgent need for preventive measures.

Context: Last year, the Socialist Party introduced a legislative package aimed at tightening penalties for school-related violence and drug distribution, as well as enhancing security around educational institutions. However, the proposal remains stalled in Parliament, as it requires a qualified majority to pass. Today, the former Minister of the Interior, who initially proposed the safety package, called on opposition members to collaborate and approve these critical changes to ensure school safety and prevent further tragedies.

The incident: The latest incident began on Friday. It involved a group of 14-year-old students. The school’s security officer and faculty were aware of the dispute and had intervened, believing it had been resolved. Yet, the conflict continued on social media over the weekend. On Monday, following classes, the students engaged in a violent physical fight near the school, escalating into a stabbing that left two boys injured. One of the boys succumbed to his wounds en route to the hospital, while the other remains hospitalized but in stable condition. The young perpetrator has been arrested. The incident has shocked Albanian society, raising calls for increased school security and stricter measures to curb the spread of violence on social media.