Brief

Student protests set fire to ministries in Tirana, 16 arrested

BBC says protesters targeted the education, prime minister's, finance and interior ministries, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannons.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 15 Oct 2026 18:00:28 GMT

Thousands of students marched through Tirana on Wednesday, attacking the education ministry, the prime minister's office, the finance ministry and the interior ministry, BBC reported.

What happened

After a Tuesday demonstration outside the education ministry, demonstrators set part of that building ablaze on Wednesday. They also threw rocks and firecrackers at the finance ministry and damaged the prime minister's and interior ministries. Riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons.

What the reports add

The BBC noted that protesters wore gas masks and balaclavas, and that sixteen people were arrested in connection with the violence, according to Albania's state‑run news agency.

What was said

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu called for "calmness, self‑restraint and maturity" and said "Albania does not need to burn to change". Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj condemned the arson, calling it an act that endangers lives. Protester Enida Bimi told Reuters the protest was "for all the people of Albania" and described widespread anger at corruption. Opposition leader Sali Berisha praised the demonstrators, saying the streets had never seen "lions like these students".

How it came about

The clashes follow months of anti‑government protests, known as the Flamingo Revolution, demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation and sparked by a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, according to the BBC.

Key facts

Thousands of students attacked multiple government ministries in Tirana (bbc.co.uk)
Sixteen people were arrested during the Wednesday protests (bbc.co.uk)
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu urged calm and self‑restraint (bbc.co.uk)
Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj condemned the arson as endangering lives (bbc.co.uk)
Protesters wore gas masks and balaclavas and used rocks and firecrackers (bbc.co.uk)