Student protests turn violent in Albania as anger at Edi Rama boils over

The story

Albania's capital, Tirana, has seen the most violent protests yet against Prime Minister Edi Rama after student demonstrations that began on Tuesday turned into running clashes with police. Protesters set fires at government buildings and banks, and riot police answered with tear gas and water cannon.

The protest started outside the education ministry, where students called for better conditions at universities, lower costs and better job prospects after graduation. By Wednesday part of the ministry building had been set alight, and the prime minister's office along with the finance and interior ministries had also come under attack.

Over three days, police said 152 people were arrested and 324 placed under investigation, and 71 officers were hurt. Protesters have been injured too. Many students are now skipping classes and say their main demand is simple: they want Rama to resign.

The students have joined a wider movement that has been protesting since late May. Known as the Flamingo movement, it grew out of anger over a luxury tourism project in the protected coastal area of Zvernec that is linked to Jared Kushner, the husband of President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka. Critics say the project shows corruption and a lack of openness in Rama's government.

Rama, who has led Albania since 2013, has ruled out stepping down and says governments should be changed through elections. Members of his government have condemned the violence, with one minister saying that setting fire to a public building puts lives at risk.