The government head said the investment in new security technology followed the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old near Fan Noli School in Tirana. Existing camera systems had not provided sufficient information to clarify the circumstances of the incident, he said.

The new systems can send real-time alerts to school administrators, security staff and state police, allowing them to identify potentially dangerous situations and respond more quickly, Rama said.

“When a terrible tragedy at a school in Tirana left the whole of Albania holding its breath, the cameras were not enough to help us understand what had happened. I made a commitment then to bring Albania to the highest level of technology to strengthen security in schools,” Rama said.

“Today, that commitment has begun to become a reality. Tirana now has the first 20 schools equipped with smart cameras,” he added.

Rama said the new cameras had been installed in the same locations as the previous systems but offered additional capabilities for monitoring and detecting suspicious situations.

He described the 20 schools as the “vanguard” of a programme that would gradually be extended to schools across the country.

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Hita highlighted that the project addresses several key dimensions of security, including strengthening public safety, protecting schools, improving road safety through real-time monitoring of violations, and enhancing the fight against crime through data analysis and modern technology.

Hita said the Smart City project will strengthen multiple areas of security, including public safety, school protection, road safety, crime prevention and border control, by using artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring, data analysis and modern technology.

Hita stressed that these elements are not separate initiatives, but components of an integrated security system that allows the State Police to adopt a more modern, technology-driven and proactive approach to fulfilling its duties.

He said the progress achieved so far demonstrates the value of the investment and the confidence placed in the project, while acknowledging the support provided by the government, the Ministry of Interior and institutional partners.

“Today, we can proudly say that the project has started to deliver tangible results, validating the confidence and investment behind it. I am convinced that, with continued support from the government, the Ministry of Interior and our partners, the Smart City project will become a successful model that will benefit Albania and its citizens for years to come,” he said.

According to Hita, the State Police will continue to develop the project with full commitment, integrating the latest technology with the professionalism of its officers and working closely with all relevant institutions.

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Speaking at a press conference, Democratic Party leader said the project, which he described as originally intended for urban management, had been “deformed” into a tool for control and oversight of the population.

He claimed high-resolution “intelligent” cameras had been installed across Tirana and other cities, and said the system was being administered by the State Police rather than municipal authorities, as is common in many European countries.

“In Europe, Smart City systems are entirely managed by municipalities and serve citizens,” Berisha said. “Here, cameras are used to monitor peaceful protests and citizens’ movements, and are controlled by the police.”

Berisha said the system enables real-time monitoring, licence plate recognition, tracking of movements and the collection of personal data, which he argued raised concerns over privacy and civil liberties.

He contrasted what he described as the traditional “Smart City” model – focused on traffic management, public transport, lighting, parking and municipal services – with the system implemented in Albania, which he said was primarily oriented towards security and centralised police oversight.

“In the classical model, the focus is on improving services for citizens,” he said. “Here, everything is police-controlled: surveillance, security and monitoring.”

Berisha said the system was in violation of Albania’s constitution and European Union data protection standards, and called for it to be condemned.

Reuters was not able to independently verify the claims regarding the scope or operation of the surveillance system.

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Speaking at an event unveiling the country’s new Digital Identity platform at the Pyramid of Tirana, Rama highlighted the Smart City initiative, which includes the deployment of intelligent surveillance cameras to monitor traffic and enhance data collection.

“This system will help us gather real-time data on law enforcement, public order, and crime prevention, and will also give us a live view of daily life in schools,” Rama said.

The government head voiced confidence that the project would significantly improve safety in educational institutions.

“Parents will be able to monitor their children’s behavior in school. This will greatly impact school attendance and help reduce bullying, while also increasing teachers’ engagement,” he said.

Rama added that with the combination of the Smart City initiative and the Digital Identity program, Albania is positioning itself for a major leap forward by 2030.

“These efforts will empower citizens in ways previously unimaginable, making daily life simpler, faster, and far less stressful,” he said.

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In a press media statement, the main opposition DP leader criticized the planned use of cameras, saying students would be “spied on” under the program.

He described the project as an “unimaginable act.”

“In a democratic country, Smart City should provide citizens with accurate information about services, traffic, and more, but it should never aim to eavesdrop or spy on them like this,” he added.

Berisha urged all Albanians to realize that such police-style surveillance marks the end of privacy for every citizen.

The opposition leader further accused the government of employing “the most intrusive surveillance technology” to record all forms of communication.

“They have implemented a comprehensive communication monitoring system in Albania — technology not used by any other country – enabling total control over every citizen’s privacy, Albanian or foreign,” he stated.

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After the signing ceremony, the Interior Minister said that the United Arab Emirates is the best example of high security standards in terms of public order and security and road traffic monitoring.

“The Memorandum of Understanding and cooperation we have just signed has to do precisely with a major project, which will initially include Albania’s major cities and throughout the country at a later stage in order to boost public security through a monitoring system of cameras and radars,” Balla said.

Interior Minister noted that the radar technology will be used to ensure road safety in the cities where the project will be implemented, while the surveillance cameras will help increase public security.

Balla said that the technology will ensure 24-hour monitoring and will replace policemen as it will employ also the artificial intelligence as a critical step towards a new monitoring and public security system.

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