Watch: Violent Clashes Between Protesters and Police
2/21/2026 1:35:00 PM
The Albanian capital, Tirana, witnessed violent clashes between thousands of anti-corruption protesters and police forces, with the latter responding by using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.
The protests erupted over corruption allegations against senior officials, most notably Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, accused of intervening in tenders for major infrastructure projects.
The demonstrations included violent confrontations, with protesters throwing Molotov cocktails and fireworks at the Prime Minister’s office and Parliament. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds, deploying around 1,600 security personnel across the capital’s streets.
The protests erupted over corruption allegations against senior officials, most notably Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, accused of intervening in tenders for major infrastructure projects.
The demonstrations included violent confrontations, with protesters throwing Molotov cocktails and fireworks at the Prime Minister’s office and Parliament. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds, deploying around 1,600 security personnel across the capital’s streets.