Albania has introduced fines of more than $6,000 for demonstrators who participate in a protest that turns violent, even if they don’t personally commit violent acts, as the government tries to clamp down on the gatherings calling for the prime minister’s resignation .

The capital, Tirana, has been racked by months of anti-government protests that in recent days have deteriorated into pitched battles between the security forces and protesters.

The leaderless movement started peacefully in May, with rallies against a luxury hotel project in a nature reserve , backed by US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

It morphed in mid-October into a wave of student-led protests against perceived corruption, shortcomings in the health system and the lack of prospects for young people in the country of 2.3 million people.

On Wednesday, prime minister Edi Rama’s government adopted legislative measures imposing fines of up to 500,000 leks (€5,500, US$6,130) for “anyone who chooses to remain in a crowd”…