ANTI-GOVERNMENT protesters armed with molotov cocktails and fireworks have clashed with riot police in Albania.
Thousands of demonstrators demanding the government’s resignation gathered in the capital of Tirana on Tuesday night armed with hand-thrown incendiary weapons and flares.
Albanian police are seen behind crowd control barriers as fireworks are let off aimed at government buildingsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
An opposition supporter throws a Molotov cocktail at police officers during an anti-government protest in Tirana, AlbaniaCredit: EPA
Protesters are demanding the government’s resignationCredit: EPA
Opposition supporters use umbrellas to protect themselves from a water cannon blastCredit: EPA
Protesters threw Molotov cocktails and rocks at police and aimed fireworks at the Prime Minister’s office.
Eventually, the crowd was doused with tear gas and water cannons by riot squad members.
More than 1,300 cops were sent to control the rally and 13 arrests were made.
16 protesters were treated in a hospital for burns and other injuries.
The demonstration was organised by Albanian opposition following weeks of escalating political tension.
Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government has come under fire over corruption allegations involving the deputy PM Belinda Balluku.
Rama has resisted calls to dismiss her but there have been growing demands that lawmakers lift Balluku’s immunity from prosecution, which can only be done in a parliamentary vote.
Anti-corruption prosecutors have accused Balluku, who is also minister for energy and infrastructure, of interfering in public procurement for construction projects to favour certain companies.
It was the third such demonstration in recent months demanding Ramas resignation.
Opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha described the protest as a peaceful uprising at a critical moment for Albania.
Also a former prime minister who has also faced corruption charges himself, Berisha spoke at the protest accusing Rama of declaring war on the justice system.
Political analyst Mentor Kikia said it was unlikely that any major change would result from the protests.
Citizens are distrustful, having consistently voted for the lesser evil to remove the greater evil from power, he said.
The current perception is that if Rama leaves, Berisha will return.
One left power because of corruption, the other must also leave power because of corruption, Kikia said.
Albania hopes to join the European Union, and is under close monitoring by the bloc as part of its accession process, which it hopes to complete by 2027.
However, international watchdogs say the country continues to suffer from widespread corruption.
Protesters launch fireworks during the rallyCredit: AFP
Protesters clash with anti-riot policeCredit: AFP
Protesters hurl molotov cocktails, fireworks, smoke bombs, and various objects at the Prime Minister’s officeCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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