Albania's protests reach a seventh day as Rama blames foreign forces

How it escalated

1. May

   Protests begin against a luxury resort on the protected coast

2. Oct 18

   Sixth day of clashes in Tirana; Rama refuses to resign

3. Oct 19

   Seventh day of clashes, led largely by school and university students

Protests that began in May over a coastal resort turned into a seventh straight day of clashes with riot police in Tirana on Oct 19.

Injured, official count

295 people

Official figures put the injured at 295 before the Oct 19 clashes, 186 of them police officers.

Prime Minister Edi Rama said some protesters had been “radicalised by dark forces in Europe and the US” and that “Albania has become one of the targets of a well co-ordinated attack.”

— Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania

At least 167 people have been arrested, including minors, and Rama announced a 2,500-euro bonus for police officers on the front lines.