Demonstrators and riot police clashed in Albania ‘s capital on Wednesday in a second straight day of violence triggered by student protests calling for better university conditions and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation.
Over several hours, police deployed water cannon and tear gas while demonstrators targeted government buildings and shops in Tirana, smashing windows and on at least one occasion setting a building on fire. Protesters also attacked the finance ministry, using fencing to smash windows and break down doors, with some briefly entering the building. Pushed back by police, protesters moved towards the prime minister’s office, where they threw stones at the building and officers, who responded with water cannon. Thick black smoke poured from a window shortly afterwards.
Six police officers, eight protesters, three journalists and two passers-by received medical attention on Tuesday, including for exposure to tear gas, while 16 people were arrested, according to the health ministry.
During the night, people also burst through the doors of the municipality building, lighting a fire inside and damaging several other buildings, police said.
Earlier, AFP saw two people climb over the education ministry wall and throw flares into the building. Demonstrators originally gathered early on Tuesday to demand Rama’s resignation and more support for students in the country, but the rally comes after months of anti-government demonstrations in the capital.
