Albanian protests turn violent: What we know
Violent protests have spread across Albania as citizens demonstrate against government corruption, high living costs, and a controversial tourism project. Clashes between protesters and police have resulted in damage to government buildings and injuries.
Why it matters
The escalation of civil unrest in Albania highlights growing public dissatisfaction with the long-standing administration and concerns over environmental and economic governance.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, Tirana has seen four days of clashes and the protests are spreading
Protesters and anti-riot police have clashed in Albania's main cities in scenes not witnessed for decades.
Government buildings have been attacked and some private businesses, too.
Albania's capital Tirana has seen months of protests from an anti-government "Flamingo" movement, but what started on Tuesday this week was on a different scale.
And the clashes have spread beyond Tirana - to include the main cities of Durrës, Shkodër, Lezhë and Vlora in the west, Gjirokastër in the south and Korçë in the east.
The new demonstrations were announced as a student movement, ostensibly demanding action by the government to help with the high cost of education fees and books - and the higher cost of living.
Secondary schools joined in, swelling the numbers.
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