Riots during Anti-Government protests in Albania
Thousands of people took to the streets of Albanian capital Tirana on Thursday against Prime Minister Edi Rama. The government opponents accuse Rama of corruption and demand his resignation.
Angry protesters pelted the Albanian Government Building and the office of a mayor who is a member of Rama's Socialist Party, with Molotov cocktails. The fires were put out, reports of injured remained scarce.
The opposition calls for the release of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The opposition leader is under house arrest on suspicion of corruption. "Albania is the only country in Europe where the opposition leader is under political arrest without any facts or evidence", Berisha said via video link. "Edi Rama wants an Albania without Albanians, without opposition, and without justice."
The Prosecution has not yet decided whether to formally charge Berisha. Berisha denies all allegations and accuses Rama of revenge to silence critics. Rama, in turn, denies the accusations.
Berisha urged his supporters to civil disobedience to force the government to call for new elections. Edi Rama has been in power since 2013 and has won all parliamentary and local elections since then.
The escalation of anti-government protests in Albania continues, with protesters targeting buildings associated with Prime Minister Edi Rama's party due to corruption allegations. The opposition leader, Sali Berisha, under house arrest on suspicion of corruption, has accused Rama of wanting an Albania without opposition or justice.
