Albanian police appear to fire rubber bullets as student protests enter fifth day
Reuters footage showed police firing towards protesters in Tirana as students demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation held a fifth day of demonstrations.
Tirana, Albania. Albanian police appeared to use rubber bullets against demonstrators on Saturday as mass student protests calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation entered their fifth day. Two journalists working for Reuters and several protesters were struck by pellets, which left circular marks.
Clashes intensify in central Tirana
Video recorded by Reuters showed officers discharging a shotgun towards a crowd gathered outside the education ministry amid clashes. Reporters from the agency also discovered rubber pellets lying on the ground.
The shooting represented an escalation after several days of confrontation across central Tirana. Protesters have set government buildings and banks ablaze and thrown rocks at officers, while police have deployed water cannon and tear gas.
At a Saturday news conference, Albania’s police chief, Skender Hita, stopped short of denying that rubber bullets had been used.
“All means that were used were employed in a limited manner, including the most recent ones,” he said.
Hita reported that seven officers had been suspended pending disciplinary investigations into whether they had overstepped their authority and failed to act proportionately when handling protesters. He gave no details about which incidents prompted their suspension.
Discontent over corruption, jobs and education
Anger about perceived corruption in government, scarce employment opportunities and low educational standards has driven the demonstrations.
The protests have also attracted people who felt their concerns went unheard during largely peaceful demonstrations over the summer against a luxury development on the coast. That project has the backing of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
The unrest presents Rama with his greatest challenge so far, following his victory last year that secured a fourth term.
Juri Taullahu, a medical student aged 22, voiced his frustration on Saturday.
“It’s been 13 years of corruption and 13 years of doing nothing and empty promises. So, the jar is filled and we are here for our rights,” he said.
Both the government and police denounced the unrest and appealed for calm.
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