More than 20 percent of arrests of protesters in recent weeks have been ruled unlawful by Tirana prosecutors and the court, BIRN reports, raising allegations of repressive policing in violation of law and human rights. Since October 13, when anti-government protests escalated into violent clashes, State Police arrested hundreds of young demonstrators, including minors. By October 31, 319 protesters had been arrested and 291 were brought before a court for review. But court and prosecutor assessments found 62 arrests, or more than 21 percent, were unlawful. Among those arrested were 38 minors. In six cases, the court found minors had been detained unlawfully. By October 27, police had also initiated criminal proceedings against another 653 protesters, including 179 minors. In the court outcomes shared through BIRN data, pretrial detention was ordered in only 12 cases, while eight others were placed under house arrest. Most protesters, 157, were ordered to report to authorities, and another 18 were told to stay away from areas where protests take place. Lawyers representing protesters allege police used disproportionate measures. They describe detentions of up to 72 hours without sufficient grounds and cite cases where the court confirmed arrests were unlawful. Advocates also claim police summoned students for statements without making clear their procedural status, which they say amounted to intimidation. One lawyer described protesters held for 11 hours at Police Station No. 1 in Tirana without water, food, or cigarettes. BIRN also reports that, on October 22, the deputy director for Public Security at Tirana Police instructed police stations to comply with criminal legislation concerning minors when taking them into custody, searching them and taking statements, after earlier practices that allegedly included arbitrary phone checks. Lawyers further allege beatings and violence during detention and transport, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets. They also accuse officers of not identifying themselves and of intimidation while taking statements, including an account of a judicial police officer asking a client to sign an arrest record without a lawyer present at 3 a.m. The latest verified status is that arrest legality has been challenged in multiple cases, with 62 arrests ruled unlawful by prosecutors or Tirana court, while other protesters faced court-ordered measures including reporting requirements, exclusion zones, house arrest, and pretrial detention.