Albania's prime minister blames 'foreign hands' as student protests turn violent

Riot police used water cannon and tear gas against protesters outside the education ministry in Tirana on Friday, a fourth day of clashes. Police said 160 people were detained on Thursday evening.

"This is not a student phenomenon," Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a video address, blaming "foreign hands that do not wish for Albania to be at peace."

— Edi Rama, Albania's prime minister

What protesters want

• Rama's resignation
• Electoral reform
• Education reform

Protesters demand Rama's resignation and electoral and education reforms. The movement began over the sale of part of Albania's coastline to a resort project linked to Jared Kushner.

Rama rejects resigning, saying it would betray voters who gave him a mandate to finish EU membership talks. He won a fourth term last year aiming for membership as early as 2028.