Albania: New clashes in Tirana, government accuses "foreign hands"

Violent clashes between police and protesters broke out again on Friday evening in Tirana, with Prime Minister Edi Rama denouncing the presence of "foreign hands" behind this wave of protest which, according to him, aims to force Albania's accession project to the European Union (EU).

For the fourth consecutive day of protests, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators who threw stones and blocked streets with burning garbage cans. Clashes continued late into the night in several neighborhoods of the capital.

An AFP journalist saw masked groups smashing shop windows and looting stores, and attempting to storm government buildings in the city center.

The protesters are demanding the resignation of Mr. Rama, who has been in power for 13 years, and are denouncing the teaching conditions and university registration fees.

According to local media, the protests are spreading beyond other cities, with less widespread violence and student-led university blockades, marking a significant escalation of the movement.

In the capital, hundreds of people gathered in front of the Ministry of Education chanting "Rama resign!".

"We are not criminals. We simply want a better life for our parents and ourselves. We don't want to leave Albania," 18-year-old Ledia told AFP. "The government's indifference and arrogance since the beginning of our movement have been unbearable and have worsened the situation," added the high school student, who asked to be identified only by her first name.

- 156 injured -

For more than four months, anti-government demonstrations in Albania have regularly gathered thousands of people.

Triggered by a luxury hotel project linked to US President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, they have become a symbol of alleged corruption and inequality in the country.

Since Tuesday, violent clashes have been taking place daily in Tirana between police and protesters, who have tried to force their way into several official buildings.

According to Interior Minister Ervin Demo, 156 people have been injured, including 97 police officers in recent days.

"We have far more reason to come together and work for the good of our country than to confront each other. This is a disguised attempt by those who seek to seize power through violence," Mr. Demo said in a statement Friday.

He had indicated earlier that two police officers had been suspended for excessive use of force. At least 160 people have been arrested, according to the latest figures announced Thursday evening.

Prime Minister Edi Rama asserted on Friday that the protest has "absolutely nothing to do with the difficulties, problems or legitimate aspirations of anyone desiring a better life".

"All of this is the work of the same hand, the hand that has seized the Albanian opposition by the throat, the hand that has burned and destroyed Albania more than once," he said.

Without identifying them, he accused "foreign hands" of stirring up unrest and of wanting to force his country's candidacy for membership in the European Union.

"These are foreign hands that do not want Albania to be at peace," he said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

The European Union, which Albania aspires to join in 2030, has expressed its sorrow, this week condemning the violence and calling for an investigation into allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement.