An anti-corruption rally in Tirana concluded with confrontations with law enforcement.
During an anti-corruption demonstration on Friday, protesters hurled Molotov cocktails and set off fireworks at the prime minister’s office in Tirana.
The demonstrators, led by members of the main opposition force, the Democratic Party (PD), gathered in the capital of the small Balkan country, demanding the resignation of left-wing Prime Minister Edi Rama.
A group of rioters lobbed incendiary projectiles at the government headquarters and law enforcement officers, who responded with tear gas and water cannons. According to local media, the clashes lasted for several hours.
Over the past few years, throwing explosives at government buildings has become a regular occurrence at protests in Tirana. Tonight, after the initial exchange, protesters were quickly dispersed using water cannons.
— 3JANE TV (@3janetv)
Explosives were thrown at the Prime Minister’s office right after Berisha finished his speech and left the podium
— 3JANE TV (@3janetv)
Speaking at the rally, PD leader and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha labeled Rama as a “political corpse.”
Riot police in Tirana, Albania were hit with incendiary devices tonight after a protest in front of the Prime Minister’s office was dispersed.
— 3JANE TV (@3janetv)
“We will save Albania from Edi Rama, who has plunged the country into poverty and corruption,” Berisha told the crowd, as cited by AFP. He blamed the government for “escalation” and accused the police of firing tear gas at the courtyard of his party’s office.
Interior Minister Albana Kociu accused the opposition leaders of “incitement to violence” and urged them to call on their supporters to refrain from action that could “endanger citizens, police, and journalists.”