19.10.2026 11:13
Violent clashes broke out between police and protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana, the capital of Albania. Many people were injured and hundreds of protesters were detained in incidents targeting government buildings and police checkpoints. Footage of a police officer engulfed in flames drew attention.
Footage suggesting that anti-government protests in Albania are increasingly escalating has emerged. In demonstrations held in the capital, Tirana, clashes occurred between protesters and security forces.
A POLICE OFFICER WAS CAUGHT IN THE FLAMES
In the shared footage, a police officer was seen caught in the flames. No statement has yet been made regarding the police officer's health condition.
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS WERE SET ON FIRE
In the protests that began on October 13, education conditions, university fees, unemployment and corruption allegations came to the fore. While some of the protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails at public buildings, fires broke out in the Ministry of Education building and some bank branches. Police intervened against the demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons.
132 POLICE OFFICERS WERE INJURED
According to official data announced on October 17, 132 police officers were injured and 167 people were arrested in the protests. In the police data Reuters reported on the same date, it was stated that 500 people were taken into custody and 330 of them were released. Therefore, the claim circulating on social media that approximately 1,000 people were arrested has not been confirmed.
PRIME MINISTER RAMA ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL NOT RESIGN
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama due to corruption allegations and economic conditions. Rama, however, rejected the calls for resignation and condemned the violent incidents. In the protests, which entered their sixth day on October 18, it was reported that a police station was set on fire and 28 people, including 19 police officers, were injured.