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Students and other protesters gathered outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana on Saturday as anti-government demonstrations entered their fifth consecutive day.
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The protests, which have spread to cities across Albania, intensified after high school and university students joined a broader movement calling for Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation over allegations of corruption.
The students are also demanding better education, greater financial support and improved job opportunities.
The wider movement has been fuelled in part by opposition to a controversial luxury tourism development linked to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
Violent clashes were reported in the capital, Tirana, where protesters threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas, according to Euronews Albania.
Police also deployed two water cannon vehicles and fired rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse demonstrators and bring the situation under control. Protesters briefly scattered before returning to throw stones at officers.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said he supported the right of students and other Albanians to protest but warned that masked individuals vandalising businesses were committing crimes.
He said those responsible for damaging property would be held accountable.
The country’s police said 167 people had been arrested and 132 officers injured during the five days of unrest.
Seven police officers have also been suspended pending investigations into allegations of excessive force, according to Skender Hita, the country’s police chief.
Rama, who has been in power since 2013 and is serving his fourth term, has ruled out resigning and accused his conservative opponents of inciting the clashes.
“I will not allow anyone to jeopardize the future of this country … not for the political gain of those who use their wicked hand to create disorder and destruction,” Rama said in a video message.
“My responsibility is clear in these difficult hours: to protect our citizens, guarantee justice and move Albania forward,” he said.
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