The fifth day of violent protests has continued with intense clashes between demonstrators and police officers in Tirana.
RENEA special forces have now arrived on “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard.
Today’s protest near the Prime Minister’s Office, along the boulevard, drew students, secondary school pupils, and other citizens, but was accompanied by rising tensions and acts of violence.
According to police, protesters threw hard objects, stone slabs, metal objects, metal ball bearings fired with slingshots, pyrotechnic devices, and Molotov cocktails at officers from the “Shqiponja” special unit and the Rapid Intervention Force. Police responded by repeatedly deploying tear gas.
Regarding the use of rubber bullets, State Police Director Skënder Hita said earlier today that, during violent demonstrations, the Albanian State Police uses the measures prescribed by legislation and standard operating procedures to maintain public order and security and protect police officers, as is the practice in European Union countries.
He added that the use of such measures complies with the legal framework and is proportionate to the level of risk.
As a result of the clashes, additional police officers and civilians have been injured.
The police have urged citizens to keep their distance from violent individuals, stating that these individuals do not represent the students or their aspirations, the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) reported.
