Tirana was once again gripped by tension on the sixth day of the protest launched by students and also supported by other citizens. The gathering initially focused near the Ministry of Education, but the situation later deteriorated into clashes with police, detentions and an attack on the headquarters of the Socialist Party.
The gathering began at the Ministry of Education
Protesters gathered near the Ministry of Education, some wearing masks and others not, holding national flags and chanting for the prime minister’s resignation.
At the start there was also a moment different from previous days, when some young people danced and sang in the middle of the street, in front of police officers.
An appeal against violence, then escalation
One of the protesters called on those present not to use violence against the police and, at the same time, asked officers not to use violence against the protesters.
He then, as a sign of revolt, tore up the certificate that had been given to him by former Education Minister Besa Shahini as the winner of the History Olympiad.
After a few moments of calm, the situation changed. Tensions began, along with stones being thrown at the police stationed near the ministry.
A journalist injured, police move the crowd
A journalist was injured in the clashes and was taken away from the area by ambulance.
Police then pushed the protesters toward the center, while several people were taken to the police station. Up to this stage, the full circumstances of the injuries and the police intervention remain unclear.
Socialist Party headquarters also hit
Later, protesters stopped in front of the Socialist Party headquarters, where the building was attacked with stones.
The door area was damaged and windows of the building were broken.
Footage shared from the scene also shows a bloodied person on the street, who according to the published version was struck during the tensions and was removed from the crowd by police.
The protest, which has now entered its sixth day, is leaving behind a growing toll of tension in the capital.
Beyond the political chants and anger in the streets, today’s events once again raise questions about how the gathering is being managed, the escalation of violence and the response of law enforcement.