Student protesters attack government buildings in Albania

Image source, ReutersImage caption, The scene in Tirana, Albania's capital on Wednesday.

• Flamingo Revolution' takes off as thousands demand Albanian PM's resignation Published4 July.

Milhares de estudantes tomaram as ruas na capital albanesa de Tirana, atacando vários prédios governamentais no segundo dia de protestos violentos anti-governo.

The demonstration began outside the ministry of education on Tuesday, as students called for better university conditions and job prospects.

Wednesday saw part of the education ministry's building set on fire, while the prime minister's office, finance and interior ministry, and several surrounding businesses were also attacked.

Fonte da imagem, Legenda da imagem da Reuters, dezenas de manifestantes usando máscaras de gás e balaclavas foram vistos lançando pedras e fogos de artifício pelos portões do Ministério da Educação.

Riot police have clashed with the protesters, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.

One demonstrator, Enida Bimi, told Reuters news agency that the protest is not just for the students, but "for all the people of Albania.

The people are very angry at the system. They need to change everything. With this corruption all around, the crime and everything else is happening. And the people now are angry.

Eles precisam mudar o sistema," disse Bimi.

Another protester, Arber Leshi, said people are angry at "the most corrupt government our country has ever seen.

A Ministra da Educação Mirela Kumbaro disse que, embora respeite o direito de protestar, 'protesto estudantil cívico e violência contra prédios e propriedades públicas são duas coisas diferentes.

Image source, ReutersImage caption, Protester Enida Bimi said people "are very angry at the system.

Officials have criticised the behaviour of some protesters.

Setting fire to an institution is not a peaceful protest. It is an act that endanger's peoples lives", said economy minister Delina Ibrahimaj, responding to a video appearing to show protesters throwing rocks at the finance ministry building.

Sixteen people were arrested "in connection with violent acts" during Tuesday's protest, Albania's state-run news agency said.

Sali Berisha, líder da oposição — Partido Democrático da Albânia — elogiou os manifestantes.

The streets and squares of Tirana have never seen lions like these students," he said during an evening meeting on Wednesday, Albania's state-run news agency Ata reported.

This student-led protest comes after months of anti-government protests, known as the Flamingo Revolution, which is calling for Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.

Os protestos foram desencadeados por um projeto de turismo de luxo ligado ao cunhado de Trump, Jared Kushner, que alimentou a raiva sobre suposta corrupção e falta de transparência do governo de Rama.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Central Tirana on Wednesday evening.

Plano de resort de luxo apoiado por Kushner provoca protestos na Albânia.