Albanian police use rubber bullets as student protests continue

Police in Tirana fired what appeared to be rubber bullets at demonstrators outside the education ministry on Saturday, marking an escalation in the five-day student protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama. Video footage showed officers discharging a shotgun, and rubber pellets were found on the ground, some striking two Reuters journalists and several protesters.

Police chief Skender Hita acknowledged the use of the ammunition, saying all means employed were used "in a limited manner, including the most recent ones." He announced that seven officers had been suspended and were facing disciplinary investigations for exceeding their authority and failing to respect proportionality, though he did not detail the incidents that prompted the action.

The protests, driven by grievances over perceived corruption, unemployment and education standards, have also drawn support from citizens who felt ignored during earlier demonstrations against a coastal development backed by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Demonstrators have set fire to government buildings and banks and thrown rocks at police, while authorities have responded with tear gas and water cannon.

"It's been 13 years of corruption and 13 years of doing nothing and empty promises. So the jar is filled and we are here for our rights," said 22-year-old medical student Juri Taullahu.

Hita reported that 1,067 people had been arrested and 388 faced criminal prosecution, with numerous injuries on both sides. Rama, who denied any wrongdoing, said his government respects the students' right to protest and reiterated his commitment to EU accession, stating on Facebook that his mandate is to move Albania toward EU membership by 2030.

The unrest in Albania coincides with broader student and social protests across Europe, including demonstrations in France over education funding and in Spain against high rents.