More than 300 university academics in Albania have called for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign and for a caretaker government to be formed, condemning what they described as unjustified police violence against students during anti-government protests.

In a joint statement, the academics raised concerns about alleged human rights violations and urged the government to respond to students’ demands in order to ease tensions.

They called on police officers to stop using force against students and refuse to carry out unlawful orders, warning that responsibility for such actions would be individual.

The signatories also appealed to diplomatic missions in Tirana to speak out in defence of citizens’ rights and urged protesters to avoid damaging public and private property.

Drawing parallels with Albania’s 1991 student movement, they called on citizens to show solidarity with young protesters.

The statement comes on the sixth day of demonstrations, which have been marked by violent clashes and injuries. Rama has rejected calls for his resignation, arguing that political opponents and foreign actors are exploiting the protests to destabilise the country and hinder its European integration.