Brief
Albanian police use tear gas and water cannons on student protest at Education Ministry
Hundreds of students demonstrated in Tirana over university costs and employment prospects, prompting a forceful police response and 23 arrests.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Albanian riot police fired tear gas and water cannons at hundreds of student demonstrators outside the Education Ministry in Tirana on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera.
What happened
Protesters hurled bricks, concrete blocks and Molotov cocktails at the ministry building, demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation and highlighting university tuition, financial support and job prospects after graduation. Police reported that six officers and a female journalist were injured, and that 23 protesters were arrested.
What the reports add
The Al Jazeera account notes that the protest was part of a series of anti‑government demonstrations that began in May over a luxury tourism project linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s family, which protesters say reflects broader corruption and lack of transparency.
What was said
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu posted on Facebook, "Violence has not been, is not, and will never be a solution. Throwing stones, attacking institutions and the state police, as well as the senseless destruction of public property, are not how youth should express themselves," as reported by Al Jazeera.
How it came about
Student organisers said the rally also aimed to decry university conditions, tuition fees and insufficient support for young people, echoing earlier protests across Europe where police have used tear gas against student demonstrators, such as the October 8 incident at a Paris high school covered by Felo News.
Key facts
- Albanian riot police used tear gas and water cannons on student protesters in Tirana (aljazeera.com)
- At least 23 protesters were arrested during the clash (aljazeera.com)
- Six police officers and one female journalist were reported injured (aljazeera.com)
- Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu condemned the violence on Facebook (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Albanian police fire tear gas at protesters as Education Ministry attacked”
