Tirana was once again gripped by strong tensions on the fifth day of protests, with prolonged clashes between protesters and Police, fires near institutions and several people injured. Reports from the ground described repeated episodes of violence, while the official version said officers were hit by Molotov cocktails and stones, and that police intervened with water, tear gas and, in some cases, rubber bullets.
Escalation near the Prime Minister’s Office
The fiercest clashes were recorded on the “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard, near the Prime Minister’s Office, where masked protesters threw fireworks, Molotov cocktails and stones at officers.
According to the official version, Police responded with water and tear gas to disperse the crowd, while at some moments rubber bullets were also used. A car near the Prime Minister’s Office was also burned.
Injuries on both sides
During the tensions, injuries were reported among both protesters and law enforcement forces. One protester lost consciousness and was taken by ambulance to hospital.
According to reports from the ground, two police officers were struck by flames from a flammable substance thrown in a Molotov cocktail, while other officers were injured by stones. At another moment in the afternoon, one person was left lying on the ground in serious health condition and was later transported to hospital.
Flames at the former Hotel Dajti and at the High Court
At around 18:40, the first floor of the former Hotel Dajti was engulfed in flames after Molotov cocktails were thrown at the building.
About 20 minutes later, 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 near the institution also caught fire.
Attacks on other buildings as well
Earlier, there were also tensions near the Ministry of Education, where protesters threw stones, Molotov cocktails and fireworks toward Police.
Protesters also set fire to the perimeter wall of the National Cyber Security Authority building, expanding the map of violent episodes beyond the main protest flashpoints.
This Saturday’s protest marked the fifth day of gatherings that have spread across Tirana and other cities in the country.
The full extent of the damage and the number of injured remain unclear, while the day’s developments once again highlighted the high cost of escalation in the streets and questions over the authorities’ handling of the situation.