Molotov cocktails hurled at the Prime Minister’s Office(Image: Oranews)
Protesters have reportedly attempted to petrol bomb a government building, injuring several police officers.
A crowd of people rallying in the Albanian capital of Tirana hurled Molotov cocktails and fireworks at the office of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, local outlets report. The demonstration, organised by the opposition Democratic Party, was held in response to corruption allegations against the deputy prime minister and drew thousands of people, according to Albanian Daily News.
“Several” police officers have been injured, according to Ora News, which reports that three protesters have been arrested. Police are said to have fired tear gas and water cannons at the protesters before they headed towards the Parliament building in Tirana.
An anti-government protest broke out in Tirana, Albania(Image: Oranews)
A political crisis has deepened in Albania since anti-corruption prosecutors accused Deputy PM Belinda Balluku of interfering in major state contracts in late October.
She allegedly meddled with public tenders to favour specific companies on infrastructure projects, such as Tirana’s Greater Ring Road and the Llogara Tunnel. Balluku has denied the charges against her, branding them “insinuations”, “half-truths” and “lies”.
Despite being removed from office in November by Albania’s Special Court Against Corruption and Organised Crime – SPAK – Balluku was brought back into power by the constitutional court last month, leading to widespread protests. SPAK has attempted to remove her parliamentary immunity to allow her to be arrested, but this decision has been postponed until January 28.
Thousands reportedly rallied attended the protest(Image: Oranews)
Rama has defended Balluku and said the decision for her removal set “a unique and dangerous precedent”, adding that “the suspension is absurd as a concept”. He told Politico last month that it was “normal” for the anti-corruption agency to make errors as it is a “newborn institution with a newborn independent power” that has made “plenty of mistakes”.
Opposition leaders have said anti-government protests will continue.