Protests enter 8th day as unrest continues: Police pelted with stones, respond with tear gas and water cannons

The situation outside the Ministry of Education became tense after demonstrators again attacked and damaged the building, prompting police to intervene and clear the area, Albanian Euronews reported.

Protesters threw stones at police officers and police vehicles, while some attempted to block a water cannon by standing in front of it.

Police said seven officers were injured during the operation. Many demonstrators left the area outside the ministry after police used tear gas and water cannons.

Protests in Tirana entered their eighth day today. Ahead of a gathering of students and young people, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama placed chairs outside his office with the word “Dialogue” written on them. Demonstrators responded by overturning the chairs and writing “Resignation” on a piece of paper.

One protester said the prime minister could see “dialogue only in his dreams,” adding that “dialogue is conducted by those who follow him.”

Following a protest held in Tirana on Monday, 33 people were arrested and criminal proceedings were initiated against 41 others. According to the Tirana Local Police Directorate, seven police officers were injured during the demonstration.

Among those arrested are six minors, aged 15 and 17. All those detained are suspected of attacking police officers and police vehicles with stones and other hard objects, as well as damaging rubbish bins and traffic signs using solid objects and fire.

Police said a total of 271 people had been arrested during seven days of protests in Tirana, including 51 individuals with criminal records for various offences, including murder, assault, illegal possession of weapons, drug production and trafficking, prostitution, theft, fraud and document forgery.