Police
Eighth day of protest: Molotov cocktails and fireworks at police, tear gas and water cannons, detentions reaching into bars
After a calm morning march with students and lecturers, the evening on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard again turned into clashes; seven people ended up in the hospital.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 20, 2026, 22:23 · Updated 12:25 · 2 min read
In brief
- Masked protesters threw stones, Molotov cocktails and fireworks at police outside the Prime Minister's Office and at Skanderbeg Square.
- Police responded with tear gas and high-pressure water from water cannon trucks, and in the evening began detentions, including inside bars.
- The Health Ministry reported four passersby and a police officer at the Trauma Hospital, as well as a female protester treated at QSUNT.
The eighth day of protests in Tirana had two faces: a peaceful morning march, in which lecturers joined the students, and an evening of fierce clashes between groups of protesters and police. The Education and Economy ministries had covered their windows in advance with metal panels after the attacks of previous days.
Tensions began after midday, when protesters threw stones and fireworks at officers, who responded with water and tear gas. On Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard a bus shelter was destroyed and dragged into the middle of the road, while a camera operator was attacked by a protester near the Prime Minister's Office.
Molotov cocktails and lasers aimed at officers
After 6 p.m., masked groups returned to the boulevard and gathered in Skanderbeg Square. According to reports from the scene, Molotov cocktails, fireworks and flares were thrown at police and green lasers were pointed at them. On Asim Vokshi Street, garbage bins were set on fire and metal fences were knocked down to block traffic. Police used two water cannon trucks and tear gas after warning women and children by megaphone to leave.
Pried-up paving tiles and broken stones covered parts of the boulevard, where cleanup began after the evening. Two women were affected by tear gas and were helped by bystanders with saline solution.
Detentions in bars and injuries
After the crowd dispersed, police began patrols and detentions. Officers entered several bars in the Rinia Park area, where there were arguments with young people who asked to see a warrant for the detention. According to Panorama, three protesters were arrested inside the “Taiwan” bar, where they had taken shelter after the intervention with gas and water. The official number of people detained on Tuesday is expected to be made public by police.
By 9 p.m., the Health Ministry reported four passersby and one police officer treated at the Trauma Hospital, as well as one female protester treated and discharged from the “Mother Teresa” University Hospital Center (QSUNT). Euronews reported a total of seven people in emergency rooms. During the first seven days, according to police data, 271 people have been arrested in Tirana.
