A group of protesters today burned down the Appeal Court in the capital of Albania, on the seventh consecutive day of student protests in the country, where clashes with the riot police intensified.
© Armend NIMANI / AFP via Getty Images
19/10/2026
by
Lusa
Utoday, a group of protesters set fire to the Court of Appeal in the capital of Albania, on the seventh consecutive day of student protests in the country, where clashes with the riot police intensified.
The incident marks an escalation in the clashes between police and young protesters, who are already entering the second week of protests against the Balkan government, which is a candidate for membership of the European Union.
According to local chain A2 CNN, several hooded people broke the court windows, entered the building and set fire to the site before fleeing quickly.
The day began with a peaceful student concentration in front of the Ministry of Education, but derived for violent confrontations after throwing stones to the security forces.
Images from News24 show that, as of tonight, police used tear gas, water cannons and rubber projectiles to disperse the crowd gathered in front of the government headquarters.
On the other hand, authorities investigate bomb threats sent by email to state institutions from a ‘hacked’ account in Saudi Arabia.
Other cities in the country, such as Kurbin in the north, or Vlore in the south, have also been the scene of violent protests and episodes today.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that 303 people were injured in the first six days of disturbances, among these 190 agents.
Police arrested more than 240 protesters and kept criminal investigations open against more than 400 involved. The Prime Minister, Socialist Edi Rama, met today with the senior police chiefs to announce a prize of EUR 2,500 to the seconded agents and a salary increase.
After dismissing his resignation, Rama stated that violent demonstrators need “psychological attention” and announced sanctions for those involved in violence.
The head of the government again held disinformation networks from Russia and Iran, as well as extreme left-wing groups responsible for the conflict.
The current demonstrations take place after months of peaceful and massive protests by the population against a tourist project in an ecologically sensitive and protected area, linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of American President Donald Trump.