Violent clashes in Tirana leave nearly 300 injured as students protest Prime Minister Edi Rama

Protesters, many of them high school and university students, have continued demonstrations in Tirana demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Official counts indicate that 295 people have been injured, including 186 police officers, since the unrest began.

Rama told police chiefs that the state's willingness to negotiate with the demonstrators would signal a loss of authority. He also claimed that the protests were being influenced by external forces.

The unrest has involved attacks on a police station and several government buildings, driven by grievances over university conditions, perceived corruption, and calls for Rama's removal. Riot police have pursued crowds through Rinia Park, using tear gas and pepper spray, while volunteers in reflective jackets have provided first-aid assistance.

Human-rights lawyer Gentian Sejrani said police actions are often chaotic and that evidence is rarely presented in court. He noted that many arrested individuals have no direct link to the protests.

Sidorela Vatnikaj, a 27-year-old master’s student and long-time activist, described coordinating protest logistics, including legal aid and medical supplies. She expressed sympathy for protesters throwing stones, attributing their actions to frustration and a lack of other avenues for being heard, and called for a technocratic government to oversee upcoming democratic elections.

The situation remains volatile, with both protesters and police reporting heightened tensions and continued clashes.