Anti-government protest held in Albania: City Hall set on fire

Hundreds of people took to the streets in the evening in Tirana, the capital of Albania, at the call of the opposition.

Gathering in front of the Prime Minister's Office with the slogan "Unite in the struggle, it's now or never," anti-government protesters called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of corruption. Molotov cocktails were thrown at the Prime Minister's Office.

The protesters then moved to the Tirana City Hall, which is under the administration of the Socialist Party of Albania, led by Rama. This building was also set on fire with thrown Molotov cocktails.

The protesters also demanded the release of main opposition leader Sali Berisha, who is under house arrest and under investigation for alleged corruption during his term as prime minister between 2005 and 2013.

In a video message released from house arrest, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, Berisha, said, "Albania is the only country in Europe where the opposition leader is politically arrested without any facts, evidence, or documents. Edi Rama wants an Albania without Albanians, without opposition, and without justice."

BERISHA ACCUSED OF FAVORING HIS SON-IN-LAW

Berisha, who served as president of Albania between 1992 and 1997 and as prime minister between 2005 and 2013, was placed under house arrest at the end of December as part of a corruption case regarding his time in office.

The 79-year-old Berisha, who is also banned from traveling abroad, is accused of using his influence during the 2005-2013 period to favor his son-in-law in the privatization of state land. Denying the charges against him, Berisha accuses Prime Minister Edi Rama of carrying out a "political attack" aimed at silencing opponents.

The main opposition Democratic Party accuses Prime Minister Rama of nepotism and corruption, arguing that he is the reason a large portion of the country's youth is migrating to European countries for better living conditions.

News Source: 12punto