Student protests in Albania entered their fifth consecutive day on Saturday, with reports of arrests and property damage in the coastal city of Durres as the country’s police oversight agency investigated suspected misconduct by officers during demonstrations.
In the capital, Tirana, students were expected to assemble at their universities before marching towards the Ministry of Education for a rally scheduled for 11 a.m. local time, or 0900 GMT, according to public broadcaster RTSH.
Organisers called for nationwide mobilisation involving university and high school students, members of the public and representatives of the Albanian diaspora.
Police deployed water cannons near the ministry and prepared to establish a security cordon around the area as demonstrators gathered.
The situation was initially calm before some protesters removed railings from the pavement and placed them across the road, disrupting movement in the area.
Property damage and arrests in Durres
In Durres, high school students staged demonstrations outside the municipal building for the third consecutive day, with tensions escalating as protesters threw stones at the building, set garbage bins on fire and damaged railings.
The demonstrators later marched towards a police station, breaking windows at an Albanian Post building along the way.
Police officers intervened and made arrests before the crowd eventually dispersed. Authorities did not immediately disclose the number of people detained or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
The incidents added to growing tensions as demonstrations continued in several Albanian cities, with students and other participants demanding changes and expressing frustration over conditions in the country.
Demonstrators in Korca demand justice and opportunities
In Korca, crowds consisting mainly of high school students demonstrated for the third consecutive day.
Protesters expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as limited opportunities for young people to build their futures in Albania, alongside concerns about a lack of justice.
The demonstrations in Tirana, Durres and Korca reflected the spread of the student-led mobilisation beyond the capital, with organisers seeking broader participation from students and other sections of society.
Police watchdog investigates suspected violations
Meanwhile, Albania’s Police Supervision Agency said it was investigating suspected legal violations by State Police personnel during protests in Tirana and other cities.
The agency said its staff had documented incidents at protest locations and collected video footage from media organisations and social media platforms to establish what happened and determine responsibility.
Cases involving suspected criminal offences were being handled under the direction of prosecutors in Tirana, the agency added.
The investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny of police conduct as demonstrations continue across the country.
Authorities have not provided further details about the alleged violations under examination or indicated when the investigations might be concluded.
With protests entering their fifth day, the situation remained tense in several locations, while the planned rally in Tirana was expected to draw further participation from students and supporters.
The demonstrations have highlighted concerns among young Albanians about their future prospects and demands for accountability, as authorities face pressure to manage the unrest while investigating allegations of misconduct during the police response.
