TIRANA — The College of Europe’s Tirana office was one of the latest casualties of escalating student protests that have gripped the Albanian capital. The office for the school, which serves as a training ground for future EU civil servants, was broken into, looted and set on fire on Wednesday evening. Rama’s own workplace is a stone’s throw from the Pyramid complex housing the College of Europe.
Rama said he did not believe the damage was down to the students. Instead he accused his political opponents of being behind the destruction, claiming that those responsible were attempting to undermine Albania’s progress. The opposition parties deny any wrongdoing.
The College of Europe did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Protests in Albania have been ongoing since late May against the proposed development of a luxury resort linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and alleged government corruption.
But the situation escalated on Tuesday and Wednesday as students from around the country clashed with police, set fire to government buildings and businesses linked to powerful businessmen, and damaged traffic lights, bus stops, and the city’s roads. The Delegation of the European Union to Albania released a statement Thursday morning, condemning the destruction of private and public property and asking protestors to exercise restraint. The Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance, as well as a number of government institutions, banks, and private businesses, were broken into and set on fire.
In centrally located Skanderbeg Square, protesters torched a large under-construction tower block, with flames reaching several floors. With the destruction came many reports of police brutality, including against regular citizens and journalists. Several media workers were prevented from filming or had their equipment confiscated.
On Tuesday, a young man required emergency surgery for a severely broken leg following an altercation with police. At least 89 people required hospital treatment, including about 51 police officers, while many more protestors have reported minor injuries. On Thursday, protests started again from 8 a.m. as students across Tirana boycotted lessons and marched toward the Ministry of Education.
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