Tirana protests turn violent as police fire rubber bullets for first time

Since Tuesday, Tirana has seen daily demonstrations as students and activists call for Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down over high tuition fees and poor university conditions. Saturday's clashes escalated, with protesters throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails and using burning debris to block police, while setting fire to a court, banks and a post office. Police responded with water cannon, pepper spray, tear gas and, for the first time since the protests began, rubber bullets, injuring 35 people according to the health ministry.

Authorities announced 167 arrests, criminal proceedings against 388 individuals, and the suspension of seven officers under investigation. Over the five-day unrest, 132 police officers were reported injured, and the Supreme Court and the Bank of Albania suffered fire damage. Prime Minister Rama pledged to protect the right to protest while warning against actions that could jeopardize the country's future.