A student-led protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government escalated into tense confrontations with police outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Tirana on Wednesday evening, after officers forcibly detained activists Dritan Goxhaj and Edison Lika and used pepper spray against protesters and journalists.
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Other protesters attempted to prevent the activists from being taken away by positioning themselves in front of the police van. Officers responded by deploying pepper spray at close range, directly targeting citizens in the face as they tried to block the vehicle.
Journalists and camera operators covering the demonstration were also reportedly affected by the pepper spray. The substance was used in their direction while they were documenting the police intervention and carrying out their professional duties to inform the public.
The demonstration began with students marching from the Polytechnic University toward the Faculty of Economics and subsequently to the Ministry of Education. After spending several hours there, the protesters moved to the Prime Minister’s Office, where their demands for political change and accountability continued to be accompanied by confrontations with police.
The detention of the two activists and the use of pepper spray against demonstrators and members of the media have become the latest flashpoint in a student protest movement that has now continued for 23 consecutive days.
The protesters are demanding fundamental changes in Albania’s political landscape, calling for an end to the current political establishment and the departure of the political class in power.
Wednesday evening’s confrontation has once again raised concerns over police conduct during demonstrations, particularly regarding the use of force against citizens and journalists covering public protests.