The fifth day of protests in Tirana was marked by a sharp escalation of violence in the center of the capital, where clashes between protesters and Police left injuries, the use of tear gas, and several fire incidents near state institutions. The exact toll of the damage and the number of people affected was not immediately clear.
Clashes spread to several points along the boulevard
According to reports from the scene, the most intense episodes were recorded on the “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard, near the Prime Minister’s Office, where masked protesters threw fireworks, Molotov cocktails and stones at Police officers.
Police, for their part, moved to disperse the crowd with water and tear gas. In some cases, according to accounts reported from the scene, rubber bullets were also used.
Tensions were also reported near the Ministry of Education, where the same scenes of clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces were reported.
Injuries on both sides
During the protest, injuries were reported among both protesters and Police officers. One protester lost consciousness and was taken by ambulance to hospital.
At another point in the afternoon, one person was left lying on the ground in serious health condition and was later transported for medical assistance.
On the other side, two Police officers were affected by the flames of a Molotov cocktail, while several others were injured by stones, according to information reported during the protest.
Fire near the Prime Minister’s Office and at several public buildings
The escalation did not remain limited to street clashes. Near the Prime Minister’s Office, protesters set a car on fire, while the perimeter wall of the National Cyber Security Authority building later also caught fire.
At around 18:40, the first floor of the former Hotel “Dajti” was engulfed in flames after Molotov cocktails were thrown toward the building.
A little later, at around 19:00, tensions shifted to the High Court, where a fire was reported on the first floor of the building. In the same area, a vehicle parked nearby also caught fire.
Another day of protest with a heavy public cost
Saturday’s gathering marked the fifth day of protests that have spread across Tirana and other cities in the country.
Images of fires at public buildings, the use of flammable substances, and the response with tear gas and other means of force have turned the center of Tirana into a scene of confrontation with tangible consequences for public safety and institutions.
At this stage, the authorities had not made public a full account of the material damage, the number of injured, and the specific responsibilities for the escalation of the situation.
The situation in the capital showed once again that the management of protests remains a sensitive point for public order and for institutions, especially when tension shifts from gathering to open violence.
In the absence of a full official picture of the damage and those responsible, the day’s events leave behind more questions than clarifications.