Overview
- Reports say clashes between students and police escalated on Tuesday with protesters setting fires, ripping down barriers and attacking municipal and ministry buildings.
- Media and officials reported about 40 arrests and roughly 13 people injured, including six police officers, while exact figures vary between outlets.
- Police used water cannon, tear gas and batons and five officers have been suspended following allegations of excessive force.
- Students protesting high study costs, poor university conditions and weak job prospects have linked up with the longer-running Flamingo movement opposing a contested coastal development tied to Jared Kushner, and some demonstrators demanded Prime Minister Rama's resignation.
- The EU delegation expressed concern about the violence and investigations into police conduct are under way, which could deepen domestic political turmoil and draw further international scrutiny of Albania's reform record.