Tirana protests escalate as students clash with police on 12th day

Anti-government protests in Tirana entered their 12th day with violent clashes outside the Education Ministry, as demonstrators threw stones and Molotov cocktails while police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Hundreds of students are participating in the demonstrations. Protesters set fire to garbage bins and used them as barricades, while hooded groups threw stones at police forces. Demonstrators chanted "Rama resign," and supporters of the Democratic Party burned the "dialogue chairs" placed by Prime Minister Edi Rama outside his office. Three separate rallies are taking place in Tirana, involving students, professional groups, and Democratic Party supporters. Students insist their protests are independent of political parties, demanding the resignation of both Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha. Police have intensified checks on roads leading to the capital.