Scenes of chaos unfolded in central Tirana on Thursday afternoon (July 2), when a large demonstration outside the Albanian Parliament turned into violent clashes between protesters and police.

The demonstrators attempted to break through the metal security fence that had been set up around the parliament building, chanting slogans against the government. Minutes later, tensions escalated, with groups of protesters throwing stones, eggs and other objects at police officers.

According to information so far, 18 people were detained and nine police officers were injured. Videos published by Albanian media show protesters pinned down on the road and handcuffed as police carried out mass detentions.

Albanian police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters outside the country’s parliament in Tirana, as demonstrations over a controversial luxury hotel development escalated into clashes.

The protests, which began in late May, are directed against plans for a luxury resort in Zvërnec, in south-western Albania, an environmentally sensitive area near the Vjosa-Nartë protected landscape. The investment has been linked to Jared Kushner, the husband of Ivanka Trump and son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

For the second time this week, a large crowd gathered outside parliament, attempting to block access to the building. Protesters threw eggs and flour at police officers and lawmakers, while some tried to break through the security cordon, according to journalists from AFP at the scene.

Police pushed the demonstrators back, leading to minor clashes and several arrests. Authorities said nine police officers were injured by objects thrown during the protest, although they did not announce how many people had been detained. Albanian media reported four injuries: three police officers and one protester.

The windows of a police vehicle parked on a nearby street were also smashed.

On Tuesday, six protesters were arrested after eggs were thrown at lawmakers’ cars.

“We’re protesting – so what? We want transparency. We want to protect nature. The government is corrupt,” protester Aslan Dojani told Reuters.

The demonstrations have grown into a broader anti-corruption movement, with protesters accusing Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government of prioritising private investment over environmental protection and public accountability. Rama has defended the development plans while condemning violence at the protests.

A new demonstration is scheduled for Saturday.