Albanian police clash with anti-government protesters in Tirana

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 05:07 · Archive

Albanian police have clashed with anti-government protesters in Tirana for at least six days, firing water cannon and tear gas.

Anti-government protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and police in Tirana, with violence continuing for at least six consecutive days. The BBC reports that 295 people have been injured in total, of whom 186 are police officers. Euronews recorded 28 people injured on Sunday alone, including 19 officers.

The protests are driven by demands from students and young demonstrators for better university conditions, action against corruption and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Police have responded to the unrest with water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets. Protesters have thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails, and have attacked a police station and government buildings in the city centre.

Rama has rejected calls to step down. He described the unrest as the 'work of an outside hand' and claimed protesters included 'young men and women who have been radicalised by dark forces in Europe and the US', describing the situation as a 'well co-ordinated attack' on Albania. Speaking to police chiefs, Rama said that if the state negotiated with the protesters, 'the state has fallen'.

How it is being reported

• Seventh day of violent clashes between Albanian protesters and policeAlmost 300 people have been injured, more than half of them police, as violent anti-government demonstrations show no sign of easing.BBC News · 20 Oct, 03:45
• Albanian police clash with protesters in Tirana as unrest enters sixth dayAlbanian police used water cannon and tear gas in Tirana as anti-government protests over university conditions and corruption turned violent.Euronews · 19 Oct, 06:52

In this story: Edi Rama · Albania · Tirana

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem