Albanian police have arrested 19 people following violent clashes outside Parliament during Thursday's plenary session, authorities said, as tensions escalated between protesters and security forces.

The detainees, aged between 20 and 56, are accused of attacking police officers with hard objects, damaging a police vehicle, and assaulting members of Parliament, according to an official police statement.

Among those arrested is one of the protest organizers, Gent Progni, who was detained before the demonstration began at a café inside a shopping center located within Parliament's security perimeter. Authorities allege the area had been chosen as a staging point for protesters planning to throw eggs at lawmakers entering the Parliament building.

Another suspect, 35-year-old Arbër Lleshaj, was arrested after allegedly throwing eggs at journalist Muhamed Veliu while he was reporting live from the scene.

Police said six additional protesters captured on surveillance and media footage allegedly taking part in violent acts have not yet been identified, partly because several individuals were wearing surgical masks during the demonstration.

Twelve other protesters remain under investigation while at liberty, including lawyer Altin Goxhaj.

Speaking from Elbasan, Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari condemned the violence, saying demonstrators had attacked police officers with stones and other hard objects, attempted to intimidate members of Parliament, and assaulted journalists covering the protest.

"They were attacking police officers with stones and hard objects, intimidating members of the Albanian Parliament as they attempted to enter the building where they were elected to perform their duties, and assaulting journalists. I do not believe they can be called protesters. They are simply vandals," Lamallari said.

The 19 suspects are expected to appear before the Tirana District Court within 72 hours for a hearing to determine the legality of their detention.

Prosecutors are pursuing seven criminal charges against those arrested, including destruction of property, resisting police officers, assaulting public officials in the line of duty, disturbing public order, organizing and participating in unlawful assemblies, disobeying lawful police orders, and obstructing traffic.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue efforts to identify additional individuals allegedly involved in the violence.