Albanian anti-government protesters hurl firebombs at police; hundreds arrested

Hundreds were arrested in Tirana on Saturday as masked protesters threw stones and firebombs at police during an anti-government demonstration demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. The protests, which began peacefully in May over a luxury hotel project linked to Jared Kushner, have turned violent since mid-October.

Hundreds were arrested in Albania's capital Tirana on Saturday as masked protesters hurled stones and firebombs at police during an anti-government demonstration demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The leaderless protests began peacefully in May over perceived corruption, triggered by opposition to a luxury hotel project in a protected nature reserve linked to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Since mid-October, they have escalated into often violent demonstrations also targeting shortcomings in health, jobs and education. Demonstrators have set fire to government buildings and banks. Saturday's protest started peacefully outside the education ministry before youths began throwing paving stones and firebombs. Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd. Interior Minister Ervin Demo said on Friday that 350 people have been hurt overall, including some 200 police officers and around 40 passers-by. The government on Wednesday introduced fines of up to 5,500 euros ($6,100) for violent participants.