Protests in Tirana turn violent as demonstrators demand PM Rama's resignation
For a second night running, anti-government protests in Albania's capital Tirana descended into clashes with police, damaging several official buildings. Demonstrators are calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign and for better conditions at universities.
Anti-government protests in Tirana, the capital of Albania, turned violent for a second straight night on Wednesday. Thousands of people rallied to demand better conditions at universities and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Several official buildings were badly damaged in the clashes and at least one was set on fire. The European Union, which Albania aspires to join, has voiced concern over the situation.
What the protesters did
Over several hours, police used water cannons and tear gas against demonstrators. Protesters attacked government offices and shops in the city centre, smashed windows and set fire to several buildings. They threw paving stones and petrol bombs, burned bins and used street fencing to build barricades.
In one incident, protesters smashed windows and then set a floor of the justice ministry building alight; firefighters brought the blaze under control. The finance ministry was also attacked, with fencing used to smash windows and break down doors, and some people briefly got inside. The crowd then moved towards the prime minister's office and threw stones, prompting police to use a water cannon. The news agency AFP saw two people climb the education ministry wall and throw flares into the building; smoke poured from a window before firefighters put out the fire. Local media also reported an attempt to storm a police station, and several banks were attacked.
Statements from authorities and police
Interior Minister Ervin Demo acknowledged students' concerns but blamed the "malicious hands of outsiders" for the violence. Late on Wednesday, police said 14 officers had been injured and 35 people detained. On Tuesday, six officers were injured and 16 people arrested. Police also said they were pelted with stones, firecrackers and Molotov cocktails by groups of masked demonstrators.
Background
The protests began on Tuesday, with students citing poor university conditions and high tuition fees. For more than four months, anti-government demonstrations have routinely drawn thousands of people. They were originally sparked by a luxury tourism project in the country's south linked to the family of US President Donald Trump. The EU called on all sides to de-escalate and urged a prompt investigation into allegations of excessive force by police.
