Story perspectives

Tirana Protests Turn Violent as Police Injure 300+

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 10:19 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Police in Tirana deployed tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets, injuring over 300 protesters.
Thousands of students and supporters gathered on Oct 24 around the Education Ministry, throwing stones and setting fire to bins.
Demonstrators demanded Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, lower tuition fees, more education funding and an end to corruption.
Police arrested dozens of demonstrators and detained over 1,000 people.
Business damage from the protests was estimated at €2.15 million.

History

Historical Context

In January 1997 Albania’s pyramid schemes collapsed, prompting riots that killed over 2,000 people, forced Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi to resign and led to President Sali Berisha’s loss of power. Today students outside the Education Ministry demand Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation and tuition cuts, echoing the 1997 street uprisings against corruption and economic collapse.

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Story summary

Police in Tirana deployed tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets, injuring over 300 protesters.
Thousands of students and supporters gathered on Oct 24 around the Education Ministry, throwing stones and setting fire to bins.
Demonstrators demanded Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, lower tuition fees, more education funding and an end to corruption.
Police arrested dozens of demonstrators and detained over 1,000 people.
Business damage from the protests was estimated at €2.15 million.

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