Protests in Albania, clashes between students and police in Tirana and other cities. PHOTO

Fourth day of tensions in Albania. A protest by students and citizens that began on October 13 in front of the Ministry of Education in Tirana turned into violent clashes with the police.

The protesters, mostly young people and students, raised their voices against the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama. However, this is not just a student protest but a broader discontent against corruption, the cost of living and the management of the country.

In a short time, the protests escalated into violence. Hooded and masked demonstrators repeatedly threw stones at the police who responded with water cannons and tear gas. Some protesters were stopped.

The European Union delegation in Tirana "strongly condemns the escalation of acts of violence during the protest and the destruction of public and private property". In a statement on social media it is underlined that "in a democracy there is no place for violence", calling for "constructive dialogue between all parties as the only way to address legitimate concerns".

Other cities soon joined the protests that started from Tirana. Demonstrations also break out in 5 other cities in Albania, from north to south, where in many cases lessons in universities and secondary schools have been boycotted. Clashes and attacks on town halls and other public buildings have been reported.

From the area of ​​the Ministry of Education in Tirana, the clashes moved to various areas of the center, attacking and destroying shops. Public buildings are also under attack.

In Durres, about 40 kilometers south of Tirana, and in Scutari, in the north of the country, some officers were injured due to the throwing of stones by demonstrators. There was a large presence of teenagers with their faces covered.

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro made public appeals to parents: "Do not allow your children to be exposed to violence and situations that put their lives and health at risk."

According to the police, there are suspicions about cases of use of minors "on the front line of the clashes, for well-premeditated purposes". As the director general of the Albanian police Skender Hita stated, "behind the misrepresented faces leading the protest, with the example of violence, it is not the students, but individuals recruited for dark purposes by real organizers, inside and abroad".

According to Hita, of the dozens of people stopped during the violent clashes of the last three days, only a few were students. "Those who think they can impose their will through violence must not believe that our patience is a sign of weakness", underlined the director general of the Albanian police.