Albania Unrest: Police Disperse Tirana Rally, Injuring Over 300
Authorities deployed water cannon and tear gas on Saturday as thousands clashed near government buildings, marking a sharp escalation in weeks of anti-government demonstrations.
By Christopher Singh ·
More than 300 people, including protesters and police officers, were injured in Tirana on Saturday after authorities used water cannon and tear gas to clear an antigovernment rally.
Police also arrested dozens of demonstrators and fired rubber bullets as the crowd, which numbered in the thousands, turned violent. The dispersal came after organizers from across Albania urged students and other residents to attend the event.
The Ministry of Education became a primary target during the clash. Demonstrators threw stones at the structure and rolled burning waste bins toward the building. Several other government facilities were also attacked during the disturbance.
This incident follows a period of relative calm in recent days. The current wave of unrest began in mid-October, driven by complaints regarding poor school conditions and the rising cost of living in the Balkan nation. Clashes between police and crowds have occurred repeatedly since that time.
Support for the rally came from a broad coalition, including university professors, artists, and opposition political parties. Local media reported that police increased security measures in the capital, conducting vehicle checks on cars entering the city.
The demonstrations are part of a wider movement that has continued since May. Public anger initially focused on a luxury hotel project linked to the family of US President Donald Trump, before expanding into a broader campaign against corruption. Protesters have consistently called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, a member of the Socialist party.
Rama has attributed the violence to foreign actors, specifically accusing Russia and Iran of driving online misinformation. He has simultaneously called for dialogue. On Saturday, red cushions were placed outside the government headquarters as a symbolic gesture to invite conversation. Protesters set the cushions on fire later in the day. Demonstrators also carried signs criticizing Sali Berisha, the center-right leader and Rama's main political rival.
