Protesters and police in Albania fight in seventh day of violent clashes

Key Points:

• Protests in Albania, led mainly by high school and university students, have resulted in 295 injuries, including 186 police officers, amid demands for better university conditions, anti-corruption measures, and Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation.
• Prime Minister Rama condemned the violence, accusing protesters of being influenced by "dark forces" from Europe and the US, and warned that negotiating with them would signify the state's collapse.
• Clashes between riot police and protesters in Tirana involved the use of teargas and pepper spray, with reports of chaotic police actions and arrests of individuals not involved in the protests.
• Activist Sidorela Vatnikaj, a seasoned protester, expressed understanding of the protesters' anger and called for a technocratic government to oversee fair elections, accusing Rama of electoral fraud and corruption ties.
• The unrest reflects deep frustration among young Albanians, many from families affected by emigration, who feel ignored, bullied, and repressed by the current government and law enforcement.