SHOCKING! Protesters set Ministry of Justice on fire in Albania’s Tirana; Police deploy tear gas

Oct 15, 2026

Tirana (Albania), October 15, 2026 (ANI): Protesters set fire to Albania's Justice Ministry and smashed its windows on Wednesday (October 14) as demonstrations over education costs and corruption escalated into the most violent unrest yet against Prime Minister Edi Rama's government. Police responded with tear gas and water cannon while firefighters battled flames near government buildings in central Tirana. Rama, who won a fourth term in office in elections in May last year, has since faced growing discontent at perceived graft surrounding top officials. Protesters also dismiss opposition figures as unpalatable alternatives. The unrest caps a summer of peaceful protests against Rama, triggered by the proposed development of a luxury resort along Albania's pristine southern coast backed by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner which has been caught up in legal disputes. Student organizers said the protest was over conditions at universities, higher education costs, a lack of financial support and employment prospects after graduation. The unrest is part of a broader wave of student activism sweeping Europe over education and living conditions. In France, high school students have staged weeks of protests and school blockades demanding more teachers and better facilities, arguing that deteriorating school buildings and overcrowded classrooms are undermining education.