Tirana Police Injure 300 as Rally Turns Violent
Water cannons and tear gas were deployed on Saturday as thousands clashed with security forces in the capital.
By Daniel Bernard ·
Albanian police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets on Saturday to break up a large antigovernment rally in Tirana. The intervention resulted in more than 300 injuries among both demonstrators and officers, with dozens of protesters taken into custody. Several government facilities sustained damage during the confrontation.
The clash occurred after organizers urged students and residents from across the country to join the gathering. A diverse coalition supported the event, including university professors, artists, and opposition political parties. Security forces increased their presence around the capital ahead of the rally, conducting vehicle checks on traffic entering the city.
The Ministry of Education building became a primary target for the crowd. Protesters hurled stones at the structure and rolled burning waste bins toward its entrance. This incident marked a sharp escalation in tensions that had appeared to settle in the days preceding the rally.
The unrest is part of a continuous wave of demonstrations that began in mid-October. Initial grievances focused on deteriorating school conditions and the rising cost of living in the Balkan state. These issues have expanded into a broader movement against corruption since May, following revelations about a luxury hotel project connected to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, a Socialist, faces calls for his resignation from the protest movement. In response to the violence, Rama attributed the chaos to foreign actors, specifically accusing Russia and Iran of spreading misinformation online. He also proposed a dialogue to resolve the standoff.
Symbolic gestures accompanied the political rhetoric on Saturday. Red cushions were placed outside the government headquarters to invite the prime minister to talks. Protesters subsequently set the cushions on fire. Crowds also displayed signs criticizing Sali Berisha, the center-right leader and Rama's main political rival.
Source: Al Jazeera
