Albanian Police Detain 23 After Violent Student Protests
Albanian State Police arrested 23 people after student protesters attacked the Ministry of Education in Tirana with Molotov cocktails and stones.
The State Police of Albania detained 23 people following violent clashes between student protesters and law enforcement outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana on Tuesday. Demonstrators hurled bricks, concrete blocks, and Molotov cocktails at the ministry, damaging the building's facade, entrance gate, and perimeter fencing. The unrest was part of nationwide protests over university conditions, higher education costs, and employment prospects, with some demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Police responded to the violence with tear gas and water cannons. The confrontations left six police officers and one female journalist injured. By Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reported that six people remained hospitalized, including three protesters and three bystanders. While most are in good health, one bystander required surgery and others remained under medical supervision at the University Trauma Hospital.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu condemned the attacks on public institutions, stating that such actions are not how youth should express themselves. The protests are linked to broader frustrations regarding social inequality, government economic policies, and a luxury tourism project associated with the family of Donald Trump.
