Albania protests in pictures: Fires, petrol bombs and police clashes in Tirana as demonstrators demand Rama's exit

Albania's capital, Tirana, has witnessed days of escalating anti-government protests, with demonstrators throwing rocks, fireworks and petrol bombs at riot police, setting fires and damaging government buildings, banks and businesses. The demonstrations, initially driven by students' concerns over university conditions, education costs and job prospects, have widened into a movement demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. Police have responded with tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets as clashes have continued across the city. Albania's Health Ministry reported that 28 people, including police officers, protesters, bystanders and a journalist, were injured during Sunday's clashes. It reported 65 injuries during Saturday's demonstrations and a cumulative toll of 272 since Tuesday. The unrest has also renewed attention on corruption allegations involving Rama's administration and opposition to a luxury coastal development linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Protesters Clash With Riot Police In Central Tirana Violent clashes between police and protesters rocked Albania's capital Tirana, as student-led demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama continued for a sixth day https://t.co/oiQAGH2MR1 https://t.co/JloLJ6jWHC -- Reuters (@Reuters) October 19, 2026 Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside Albania's Education Ministry, chanting slogans against Rama and throwing rocks at riot police. Clashes spread through the city centre as officers attempted to disperse the crowds. Masked protesters hurled stones, fireworks and petrol bombs. Police responded with tear gas and water cannon, while footage and reports from the demonstrations showed officers firing what appeared to be rubber bullets. The confrontations have repeatedly intensified as protesters returned to the streets after police attempted to clear crowds from central Tirana. Petrol Bombs Target Police And Parliament BREAKING: Albania right now, anti-government protests have erupted into violence. https://t.co/YSc5Xe6OBd -- Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) October 19, 2026 Petrol bombs exploded during confrontations between protesters and riot police. Demonstrators also threw petrol bombs at parliament as the violence spread beyond the area around the Education Ministry. Police attempted to hold their positions as protesters threw objects and renewed their attacks after tear gas dispersed the crowds. Many demonstrators wore gas masks, face coverings and goggles. A BBC report described volunteers distributing saline eyewash to help people cope with the effects of tear gas. Fires And Damage Spread Across Government Sites Fires broke out at several locations, including a police station and the entrance to the Interior Ministry, according to reports. Demonstrators also damaged the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party, along with shops, banks and other businesses. Offices at the Supreme Court in Tirana were set ablaze as anti-government protests over corruption, education, and unemployment entered their fifth day. https://t.co/tEQ4E1Aqjj -- Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) October 18, 2026 Visuals released by Al Jazeera showed protesters setting fire to the Supreme Court building. Other footage showed damaged buildings, burnt debris and a vehicle on fire amid the unrest. The damage has spread across parts of central Tirana, with government institutions and commercial premises among the sites affected. Police Disperse Crowds As Injuries And Arrests Mount Police in Tirana, Albania seen retreating as protesters hurl fuel bottles rigged with fireworks. Day of violent demonstrations calling on PM Edi Rama to resign. https://t.co/ejd1l0CiFO -- Open Source Intel (@Osint613) October 19, 2026 Albania's Health Ministry reported 28 injuries during Sunday's clashes, including 19 police officers, four protesters, four passers-by and a journalist. It had reported 65 injuries during Saturday's demonstrations, including 37 police officers, bringing the cumulative number of injuries since Tuesday to 272. Reuters reported on Sunday that police had charged 388 people with criminal offences during the demonstrations. Separately, police figures cited in Reuters' Saturday report said 500 protesters had been detained, of whom 330 were subsequently released. These figures refer to different reporting periods and categories. The violence has prompted scrutiny of police conduct as well. Albania's police chief said seven officers had been suspended and were facing disciplinary investigations over alleged excessive force and failure to observe proportionality during the protests, Reuters reported. What Is Driving The Protests? 🇦🇱 CHAOS IN ALBANIA: PROTESTERS HAVE STORMED AND TRASHED THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Anti-government demonstrators in Tirana have broken into the building during violent protests over education costs, corruption, and growing anger at PM Edi Rama. The latest escalation began Tuesday with student protests at the Education Ministry. Police have used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon. Writer: Sol https://t.co/P91abFjj0i -- Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 16, 2026 Students initially protested over university conditions, education standards, high fees and limited employment prospects. Their demands have since widened to include allegations of corruption and calls for Rama to resign. A BBC report quoted a 19-year-old medical student who said demonstrators had been peaceful for months before the protests turned violent. A 17-year-old university student said students were boycotting classes to fight for their rights. Some protesters alleged that provocateurs were vandalising shops and banks to discredit the demonstrations. These claims have not been independently established in the available reporting. The unrest follows months of protests against a luxury coastal development linked to Kushner. Villagers have alleged that their land was wrongfully sold for the project. Reuters reported that it found no evidence of wrongdoing by Kushner, who was not directly involved in the villagers' dispute. Corruption Investigations Add To Pressure On Rama The protests are unfolding alongside investigations by Albania's Special Prosecution Office. Reports said the service had arrested intelligence chief Vlora Hyseni, who is accused of helping businessman and former government official Ergys Agasi evade justice. Agasi has denied the allegations through his lawyer. Hyseni reportedly told prosecutors that she contacted Agasi in an effort to recruit him to the intelligence services. Several Albanian media outlets have alleged that Agasi acted as an intermediary between Rama and organised criminal groups. Rama has acknowledged knowing Agasi but denied knowledge of illegal transactions. These allegations remain under investigation and are not established findings. Rama Rejects Calls To Resign, Cites EU Ambitions Rama has rejected calls to resign, arguing that the demonstrations threaten Albania's ambition to join the European Union rather than his government. He has blamed the opposition Democratic Party and unspecified foreign interests for the unrest, without identifying the foreign actors he accused. Rama has also invited students to talks, according to Reuters. The European Commission condemned the violence and called for grievances to be addressed through peaceful dialogue. The US embassy in Tirana also urged restraint. The Socialist Party holds 83 of the 140 seats in Albania's parliament. The next parliamentary election is not due until 2029. As the protests continue, Rama remains in office and has ruled out stepping down. The immediate standoff centres on demands for political accountability, the government's response to the demonstrations and calls for dialogue, while the corruption investigations continue.