Albanian authorities have not informed the Russian embassy about arrests involving Russian citizens who allegedly attempted to enter an armed facility in the town previously associated with Gramsci. The situation has been reported by multiple outlets, highlighting ongoing questions about diplomatic notifications surrounding the incident.
Officials in Albania reportedly did not relay details of the event to the Russian mission. A senior diplomat suggested that information about the incident has appeared only in local media, with little to no direct outreach from regional security bodies to the embassy or consulate.
Earlier local outlets described the detention of two Russian nationals and a Ukrainian citizen who purportedly tried to breach security at the Gramsci facility. The reports indicate that security personnel confronted the group during the attempt and that the intruders attempted to flee the scene.
Witnesses from the security service described the assailants being stopped after they showed resistance and used a spray device described as non-lethal during the confrontation. A separate vehicle, described as a Chevrolet, was later associated with the detained individuals, raising questions about the coordination and escape plans among the group.
Media outlets also noted that a drone was found in the possession of the detainees, with footage reportedly captured from the restricted area around the facility. The presence of airborne reconnaissance equipment has spurred speculation about possible reconnaissance or intelligence-gathering aims linked to the intrusion attempt.
According to Albanian enforcement sources cited by several outlets in the Elbasan region, two men and a woman are currently held in police custody. The prosecutor’s office, in coordination with counter-terrorism and security services, has initiated an inquiry into the incident. Prime Minister Edi Rama publicly described the detainees as persons suspected of espionage activities, underscoring the seriousness of the case while authorities pursue a full evidentiary record to determine motives and affiliations (Source attribution: Albanian regional outlets, including Bota Sot and Albanian Daily News).)