Albanian police disperse Tirana protest with water cannon, leaving 300 injured

More than 300 people, including protesters and police officers, were injured in Tirana on Saturday. Authorities also arrested dozens of demonstrators. The violence erupted after an antigovernment rally turned chaotic.

Police deployed water cannon, tear gas, and rubber bullets to clear the crowds. Several government buildings were attacked during the disorder. The event followed a period of relative calm in recent days.

The unrest is part of a wider movement that began in mid-October. Demonstrators initially protested poor conditions in schools and the rising cost of living. Clashes between protesters and police have occurred repeatedly since that time.

Thousands of people gathered in the capital on Saturday. Organizers called on students and residents from across Albania to attend. The rally drew support from university professors, artists, and opposition parties.

Local media reported that police increased security around the city. Officers conducted checks on vehicles entering Tirana. The Ministry of Education building became a primary target for the crowd.

Protesters threw stones at the education ministry and rolled burning trash bins toward the structure. The building has served as a focal point for the demonstrations. Anger over the sector's state has fueled the recent escalation.

The current wave of unrest stems from protests that started in May. Those demonstrations began after reports linked a luxury hotel project to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump. The movement has since expanded to target corruption and high living costs.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, a Socialist, has faced calls for his resignation. He has attributed the violence to foreign actors, specifically naming Russia and Iran. Rama accused those nations of driving online misinformation.

The prime minister also sought to open a channel for dialogue. Red cushions were placed outside the government headquarters on Saturday as a symbolic invitation to talk. Protesters later set the cushions on fire.

Signs carried by demonstrators criticized the entire political class. Some protesters held placards targeting Sali Berisha, the centre-right leader and Rama's main rival. The crowd placed blame on both sides of the political divide.