Albanian Police Fire Rubber Bullets as Student-Led Protests Against Prime Minister Rama Enter a Fifth Day
Police say 167 people have been arrested and 132 officers injured. Protesters accuse the government of corruption and say young people are being forced to leave the country.
By Watchman Report staff ·
Police in Albania fired rubber bullets Saturday at anti-government protesters in the capital, Tirana, as clashes over demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign entered a fifth straight day, Al Jazeera reported, citing AFP and The Associated Press. Protesters threw stones, petrol bombs and fireworks at police near Rama's office, and some set cars and trash bins on fire. Police used tear gas, water cannon and baton charges. Albania's state news agency said two police water tankers and a car were set on fire.
National police chief Skender Hita said 167 people had been arrested over five days and 132 officers injured, and that rubber bullets had been used "in a limited manner." Seven officers were suspended pending investigations into whether they exceeded their authority. The Health Ministry said nine protesters and four officers were treated Saturday. Unrest also spread to the coastal city of Durres.
High school and university students joined a broader movement against Rama, whose Socialist Party has governed since 2013, complaining of high university fees, poor facilities, few jobs and alleged corruption. Protesters threw a burning suitcase into the Education Ministry's courtyard to show they don't want to leave Albania for opportunities abroad. The movement began with protests against a luxury tourism project on Albania's southern coast linked to an investment firm founded by Jared Kushner. Rama, in his fourth term, has refused to resign and accused his conservative opponents of encouraging the violence.
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