Anti-government protests erupt in Tirana over coastal development project

On Thursday, July 2, a large-scale demonstration took place outside the Albanian Parliament in Tirana, escalating into violent clashes between protesters and police. The demonstration, which is part of a series of protests ongoing since late May, is directed against a law allowing luxury hotel construction in protected areas, specifically a project linked to Jared Kushner in the Zvernec region. Demonstrators expressed opposition to the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama, throwing eggs, flour, and stones at police and government vehicles. Police responded by using water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray to disperse the crowd, leading to multiple arrests and physical confrontations. Authorities reported nine injured police officers, while local media provided conflicting reports mentioning three injured officers and one protester. Albania's Ombudsman, Endri Shabani, has launched an inquiry into police conduct, citing concerns over the proportionality of the force used during the event. Protesters have rejected opposition politicians attempting to participate in the demonstrations, and further protests are scheduled for the coming days.