Opposition protesters threw Molotov cocktails and stones at an Albanian government building this Tuesday (20), accusing state authorities of involvement in organized crime and corruption, after their leader was placed under house arrest.
Thousands of people gathered in front of the government headquarters in the capital Tirana. Police officers were called to form a cordon around Prime Minister Edi Rama's office. There are no reports of injuries, serious damage or arrests at first.
The Democratic Party, the government's main opponent, accuses Rama of nepotism and corruption – factors that, according to the party, are causing many young people to migrate to Western Europe in search of a better life.
Protesters chose Tuesday to protest in memory of February 20, 1991, when pro-democracy protests resulted in the toppling of the statue of Albania's communist dictator, Enver Hoxha.
“We are here to overthrow the Rama regime, which is worse than the Enver Hoxha regime,” said Syle Xhebexhia, who said he traveled more than 100 kilometers to take part in the protest in Tirana.
Opposition leader Sali Berisha spoke to protesters via video link from his house arrest. He is being investigated for alleged corruption when he was prime minister, between 2005 and 2013.
Berisha denied doing anything wrong, accusing Rama of political revenge aimed at silencing opponents. Rama denies it.
Source: CNN Brasil
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