Violent clashes broke out in Tirana on Saturday, initially centred on Albania’s Ministry of Education, where students were holding a mass protest. The demonstration caused disruption on central streets and in the heart of the capital.
Protesters threw stones at the ministry building and its windows, and police responded with water cannon and tear gas. The protesters then set fire to bins, which they used as barricades. A group of hooded youths also threw stones at riot police officers, who raised their shields for protection. The dominant slogan was “Rama resign”.
The students split into groups and headed towards Martyrs of the Nation Boulevard and Skanderbeg Square in the city centre. There, another group threw petrol bombs and stones at heavily armed police officers and water-cannon vehicles.
As police pursued the students, the clashes moved closer to the centre. Hundreds of citizens were also on the streets; they had taken part from the morning in rallies organised by teachers and the Democratic Party and applauded the students.
A group of masked people reached the prime minister’s office after a barrage of petrol bombs, where they confronted police. Officers positioned service vehicles to block the group, and tear gas was also fired.
Source: CNA
