// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Albanian protests turn violent: What we know
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.
Before too long, masked protesters threw stones at police, and they responded with water cannon, tear gas and batons.
Many were incensed by scenes of a young man being carried away, his broken leg dangling with him in agony.
Apologies were expressed but failed to calm the situation.
A floor of the education ministry was set on fire, with other government institutions ablaze, too.