For more than six hours, the situation was tense in several areas of Tirana, including Skanderbej Square, the Gorge W. Bush, the area near the Parliament, ʹmyslym Svizhi, Kavaja Street and ésil Chantoı.

During the protest, according to Albanian media, masked persons dropped Molotov bombs, pyrotechnic tools and solid items, while also reporting on the use of rods and lasers. Police intervened with water pressure, tear gas and rubber bullets in an effort to disperse the crowds.

The clashes caused damage in several public institutions and private businesses, while fires and glass breaking were recorded at some points.

According to reported information, Molotov bombs were attacked by the Ministry of Environment and the Temple Theatre, where fires broke out. Meanwhile, security windows and security cameras were damaged near the Bank of Albania.

The damage was also found at a bank subsidiary on Kavaja Street and a mobile operator’s shop in the area of ãosil Shantos ‘%, where glass facades were broken.

During the riots were also burnt up by a stand in the centre of the city, an urban station and several waste bins along the axis where the clashes took place.

Thirteen injured persons, some follow suit

According to the Health and Social Management Ministry balance, 13 injured persons were reported by 19:45. They received medical assistance at Trauma Hospital, University Hospital Center Mother Teresa, and Polyclinics.

Most of the injured left after receiving their first aid, while some of them followed medical examinations. Among the reported cases was a protester with eye injury.

According to reports, authorities had warned of the possibility of escalating the situation in the morning hours, following the identification of calls for violence on social networks. Police had appealed to citizens and parents to distance themselves from those who could be involved in violent acts.

Interior Minister Ervin Demo said relevant structures are analyzing hundreds of hours of film images to identify persons involved in violent acts, even in cases where they used masks to hide their identity.

Meanwhile, according to reported information, crowds have been scattered, police have started escorting persons suspected of involvement in vandal acts, and on the streets of the capital has begun cleaning up remains caused by the clashes, media in Tirana write.

Source Layer: RTKLive