Albania: Fire at Education Ministry as students protest

Student protests in Albania turn violent as Education Ministry catches fire

The full report

Student protests in Albania have turned violent, with the Education Ministry catching fire on Wednesday. The protests, which started on Tuesday, are over corruption and education. Riot police deployed in the Albanian capital Tirana, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Education Ministry, with some throwing bricks at the building and damaging barriers on the sidewalks. A bank near the Education Ministry also caught fire, according to a witness. The demonstration started with a peaceful gathering of several hundred people outside the Education Ministry but quickly escalated and turned violent in places. Police reported around 40 detentions and 13 people injured, including six police officers. Unrest continued long after these figures were issued.

The protests are part of a larger movement in Albania, known as the "Flamingo Revolution," which started in May this year. The movement is against corruption and a lack of transparency, with protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Student organizers say the protests revolve around conditions at universities, higher education costs, financial support, and employment prospects after graduation. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu has called on students to distance themselves from violence and vandalism, saying it is not the language through which the youth should express themselves.

The protests have been ongoing for several days, with hundreds of students gathering in front of the Education Ministry on Tuesday and Wednesday. Demonstrators broke in overnight on Tuesday and lit a fire inside the building, according to police. Riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons, and hundreds of people rallied on Tuesday in front of the Education Ministry.

At least 16 additional protesters have been arrested after clashing with riot police. Protesters continued to rally on Wednesday, demanding better university conditions and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The protests are part of a wider movement in Albania, with students and citizens demanding change and an end to corruption.

The movement started in protest of a resort project in a protected area of southern Albania linked to the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner. The project fuelled anger over alleged corruption and a lack of transparency, with protesters demanding Rama’s resignation.

Student organizers say the protests revolve around conditions at universities, higher education costs, financial support, and employment prospects after graduation. The protests are part of a larger movement in Albania, known as the "Flamingo Revolution," which started in May this year.

The protests have been ongoing for several days, with hundreds of students gathering in front of the Education Ministry on Tuesday and Wednesday. Demonstrators broke in overnight on Tuesday and lit a fire inside the building, according to police. Riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons, and hundreds of people rallied on Tuesday in front of the Education Ministry.