SEVERAL INJURED AND DETAINED AFTER STUDENT PROTEST TURNS VIOLENT

TIRANA, OCTOBER 14 /SRNA/ - Several people were injured in Tirana after clashes broke out between police and protesters at a student demonstration, while a number of participants were detained.

Organizers said the protest was held over conditions at universities, high education costs, a lack of financial support and limited job prospects after graduation. Some participants also said they wanted to express dissatisfaction with the government's performance. Protesters tore down barriers, threw stones and smashed windows, while police used water cannon and other means to disperse the crowd, Albanian Post reported. Albania's Ministry of Health and Social Protection said a total of 13 people sought medical assistance at the Mother Teresa University Hospital Center and the University Trauma Hospital. They included protesters, media representatives, police officers and members of the public, Dukagjini reported. One person was hospitalized and will remain under medical observation, while another person's condition is being monitored by medical staff. Six police officers suffered injuries from sharp objects, mostly to their arms and legs. They received medical treatment and were discharged from hospital. Two media representatives were treated and later released, while two bystanders also sought medical assistance. The student-organized gathering began yesterday afternoon and was initially largely peaceful, but the atmosphere changed when a group of protesters began pulling down metal barriers placed along the sidewalk in front of the ministry. Footage showed a metal barrier being brought down as protesters gathered near the entrance to the building. Some of them, with their faces covered, began throwing objects toward the building. Police detained a number of people following the intervention.