Fire erupts at Albania’s Education Ministry as protests enter third day
At least 16 additional protesters have been arrested after clashing with riot police.
Protesters started a blaze at Albania’s Education Ministry overnight after a second day of student protests in the country’s capital Tirana that continue unabated.
Protesters continued to rally on Wednesday. Hundreds of students gathered and slung rocks at the ministry, as they demanded better university conditions and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Demonstrators also ripped out nearby fencing and used it to block the street.
“Protesting is a legitimate right, but it cannot be used as an excuse for violence, city destruction or ugly fighting in the middle of the road,” Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu said on Facebook.
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.
“But then they, they spread into wider demands about better, better opportunities and anti-corruption, lack of opportunities for youth, and particularly a sign of growing disenfranchisement among this younger generation of Albanians,” Likmeta added.
Dive deeper
- At least 16 additional protesters have been arrested after clashing with riot police.
- Protesters started a blaze at Albania’s Education Ministry overnight after a second day of student protests in the country’s capital Tirana that continue unabated.
- list 3 of 3India’s ‘Cockroach’ leaders jailed after entering ‘banned’ protest site
- Protesters continued to rally on Wednesday. Hundreds of students gathered and slung rocks at the ministry, as they demanded better university conditions and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
- Demonstrators also ripped out nearby fencing and used it to block the street.