Albanian Police Fire Rubber Bullets on Fifth Day of Student Protests Demanding PM Edi Rama Resign

Rubber pellets struck two Reuters journalists and several demonstrators in central Tirana on Saturday as Albanian police confronted crowds outside the education ministry, according to Reuters video footage and reporters at the scene. The clash came on the fifth day of mass student protests calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down. Police chief Skender Hita, asked about rubber bullets at a Saturday news conference, did not deny their use, saying all means employed were used "in a limited manner, including the most recent ones." The confrontation has escalated in recent days, with protesters burning government buildings and banks and throwing rocks at officers, who have answered with tear gas and water cannon. Anger over perceived government corruption, scarce jobs and poor education standards has driven the demonstrations. The incident marks a sharpening of the standoff between police and protesters that has engulfed the capital.