Tirana Police Disperse Anti-Government Rally, Leaving More Than 300 Injured
Authorities reported dozens of arrests and attacks on government buildings after water cannon and tear gas were deployed against crowds in the Albanian capital.
By Victoria Singh ·
Albanian police fired tear gas and water cannon on Saturday to clear crowds from the streets of Tirana, resulting in more than 300 injuries among protesters and officers. Dozens of demonstrators were arrested during the dispersal, and several government buildings sustained damage. The violence marked a sharp escalation in a cycle of unrest that has gripped the Balkan nation since mid-October.
The rally drew thousands of participants after organizers urged students and residents from across the country to attend. University professors, artists, and opposition parties announced their support for the gathering. Local media reported that police increased security measures around the capital, including vehicle checks on roads leading into the city. The Ministry of Education served as the primary target for demonstrators, who threw stones at the structure and rolled burning trash bins toward its entrance.
This latest confrontation follows a period of relative calm in recent days. The protests initially erupted over deteriorating school conditions and rising living costs. Since the movement began, clashes between police and demonstrators have occurred repeatedly. The Ministry of Education has remained a focal point of the demonstrations due to its direct link to the sector driving much of the public anger.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, a Socialist, has attributed the violence to foreign actors, specifically accusing Russia and Iran of driving online misinformation. He has called for dialogue to resolve the crisis. On Saturday, red cushions were placed outside the government headquarters as a symbolic invitation to negotiate. Protesters responded by setting the cushions on fire.
Public sentiment has broadened since May, when news surfaced regarding a luxury hotel project connected to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump. That revelation helped transform intermittent protests into a wider campaign against corruption and economic strain. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Rama. Some in the crowd carried signs criticizing Sali Berisha, the centre-right opposition leader, indicating that blame is being directed at the entire political class rather than a single figure.
Authorities have not announced a specific date for the next major gathering or a formal schedule for negotiations. The injured have been treated at local hospitals, and the arrested demonstrators remain in police custody. The government headquarters and the Ministry of Education show visible signs of the Saturday confrontation.
Source: Al Jazeera
