Story perspectives

Tirana Police Suspend 7 Officers After Rubber-Bullet Use

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 10:55 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Rubber Bullet Use Confirmed

Police in Tirana fired rubber bullets at protesters outside the Ministry of Education on Saturday, Oct 17, 2026.
Protesters also demanded canceling a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, citing corruption.
Police chief Skender Hita confirmed the rubber-bullet use and suspended seven officers for excessive force.
Authorities reported 1,067 arrests, 388 prosecutions and 132 injured officers total over the five-day unrest.

Left

Police Officers Suspended

Police in Tirana fired rubber bullets at protesters outside the Ministry of Education on Saturday, Oct 17, 2026.
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the damaged businesses, pledged to hear students’ demands, and warned against further destruction.
Seven police officers were suspended pending investigations into alleged excessive force.
Protesters threw stones, petrol bombs and fireworks, setting cars and bins ablaze in central Tirana.

Blindspot

Police chief Skender Hita said that, over the five days of protests, 1,067 people had been arrested and 388 were criminally prosecuted, according to police reports.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1997, Albania erupted into nationwide civil unrest after pyramid schemes collapsed, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. Under Defense Minister Safet Zhulali, the Albanian army and police intervened, causing over 2,000 deaths and displacing roughly 100,000 citizens. In October 2026, Tirana police chief Skender Hita fired bullets at protesters at Ministry of Education, while Edi Rama appealed, citing Jared Kushner’s tourism scheme. These parallel eruptions underscore how lingering corruption accusations can trigger violent clashes, prompting Albanian authorities to consider reforms and international scrutiny to preserve democratic stability.

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Rubber Bullet Use Confirmed

Police in Tirana fired rubber bullets at protesters outside the Ministry of Education on Saturday, Oct 17, 2026.
Protesters also demanded canceling a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, citing corruption.
Police chief Skender Hita confirmed the rubber-bullet use and suspended seven officers for excessive force.
Authorities reported 1,067 arrests, 388 prosecutions and 132 injured officers total over the five-day unrest.

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