Albania protesters set fire to Supreme Court offices in Tirana over corruption, joblessness

A protest against corruption and unemployment in the Albanian capital Tirana turned violent. Demonstrators set fire to the offices of the Supreme Court. The situation spiralled out of control and clouds of smoke covered the area. Fire engines had to rush to the spot.

Student movements are under way in India, and now Europe too is simmering. After France and Italy, students in Albania have been on the streets for five days. The country is rich in natural beauty. It was earlier ruled by people of the communist ideology. In 1991 the people changed course and chose democracy, and the government began to function through democratic means. The country is a member of NATO and a candidate for membership of the European Union.

In this country of only 2.8 million people, the entire young generation has taken to the streets, fed up with rising corruption and unemployment. When the Prime Minister said he would not resign, the young people grew angrier and began setting fire to the Supreme Court offices directly. The offices were set on fire. The incident has heated up the mood in the country, and anger against the government is now visible on the streets as open violence.

Students and young people are taking part in large numbers. They are angry over alleged corruption in government work, the lack of good facilities in universities, costlier education, and the despair caused by the absence of job opportunities even after completing studies.

The protesters have also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The movement initially centred on students' concerns, but it has now become a broad anti-government movement. All this has spread intense tension across the country.

In Tirana, protesters targeted government buildings. A ministry building and bank branches have also been set on fire earlier. Police have made heavy use of tear gas shells, water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Even so, the protesters do not appear ready to back down.

During the agitation, 167 people have been arrested and 132 police personnel have been injured. Prime Minister Edi Rama, for his part, has flatly refused to resign. He has said the right to protest is accepted, but damage to public property and violence will not be tolerated. There is therefore concern that the confrontation between the government and the protesters will intensify.