PHOTO Violent protests in Albania. A corruption scandal is affecting the Prime Minister's government, which has been in power for 13 years
Violent protest in Tirana Photo: Adnan Beci / AFP / Profimedia
Anti-government protesters clashed with police in the Albanian capital, Tirana, on Tuesday evening, as thousands of people gathered to demand the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, accused of alleged corruption, reports Reuters, taken by Agerpres.
Demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails at a government building and police responded with water cannons, in the latest in a series of violent protests that threaten the stability of the long-standing rule of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who took over in 2013.
Political tensions have escalated since December after a special criminal investigation unit indicted Rama's deputy, Belinda Balluku, for allegedly meddling in public tenders for major infrastructure projects and favoring certain companies, charges Balluku denies.
Thousands gathered in Tirana's central square carrying flags and placards and chanting “Rama, go home, this corrupt government should resign.”
Law enforcement protected the government building.
The Special Criminal Investigation Unit, tasked with fighting corruption and organized crime, asked parliament to lift Balluku's immunity this week to allow her arrest.
It is not clear when the parliament, where Rama's ruling party holds the majority, will vote or if it will vote to lift the deputy prime minister's immunity.
