On the 12th day of the student protest, Molotov cocktails, stones and burning objects were thrown, while tear gas and rubber bullets were used. The students continued to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Three days of calm were followed by a Saturday of fierce clashes in the streets of the capital. The 12th day of the student protest saw Molotov cocktails, stones, burning objects, tear gas and rubber bullets. The students continued to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who, just hours before the protest, repeated his invitation to dialogue but also his accusations that violent groups had infiltrated the demonstrators. The clashes left 13 people injured among protesters, police officers and members of the media.
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Students stand firm
At 14:00, the students were once again outside the Ministry of Education. Clashes with police began just minutes later and escalated throughout the afternoon and into the evening across streets, squares and other parts of Tirana.
Trash bins and other objects were set on fire, and flames also engulfed the door of the Ministry of Environment. Molotov cocktails were thrown toward the Bank of Albania, while police used water, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators.
Amid the smoke, flames and clashes with law enforcement, protesters continued to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, making the 12th day one of the most tense episodes of the protests.
Rama calls for dialogue but makes accusations
Prime Minister Edi Rama began this Saturday with another invitation to dialogue, only to return a few hours later with accusations that violent groups had infiltrated the student protest. Outside the Prime Minister’s Office, a large concrete bench held sheets of paper bearing the word “Dialogue,” a symbolic gesture the head of government has repeated for five days.
But during the morning, Rama appeared alongside Interior Minister Ervin Demo and spoke of people with criminal records, radicalized groups and individuals encouraged and paid to commit violence. The prime minister drew parallels with protests in France and Italy, saying that Albania was working with those two countries on new security measures.
“Because, at the same time in all three of our countries, the scourge of ANTIFA’s urban terror has appeared with its blind force,” Rama said.
Alongside the accusations and warnings of measures against violence, Rama acknowledged that some of the grievances driving the protest were legitimate. He cited the rising cost of living, housing difficulties and demands for greater meritocracy and social equality. He promised concrete measures.
“We are absolutely focused, and we will soon announce what measures we will take,” the prime minister said.
13 injured in clashes
The clashes left 13 people injured: eight protesters, three police officers and two members of the media. Nine of them went to the Trauma Hospital, including a protester with an eye injury.
“One of them, who has an eye injury, is undergoing examinations. Their life is not in danger,” the Ministry of Health announced.
At QSUT, a protester and a police officer received treatment and later left the hospital.
The Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH) reported two more incidents involving journalists during Saturday’s protest, bringing the number of documented or reported cases from October 13 to 24 to 45. These include physical violence, threats, obstruction of reporting and verbal attacks against members of the media./DW
