Thousands of opposition supporters joined a protest in the Albanian capital Tirana, with the demonstration turning violent, according to bne IntelliNews.
Protesters threw Molotov cocktails and set fire to the entrance of the ruling Socialist Party headquarters on Monday, 7 October. The demonstrations were sparked by anger over the imprisonment of Democratic Party official Ervin Salianji for allegedly “giving false testimony.”
The crowd marched towards the headquarters of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, where more Molotov cocktails were thrown, setting the entrance to the building ablaze.
More than 1,000 police officers were deployed to contain the protests, according to a police statement.
So far 10 police officers have been injured in the attacks with Molotov cocktails, pyrotechnics, and solid objects.
The protesters called on Rama, who has been governing the country since 2013, to step down. They also demanded the release of former prime minister and president Sali Berisha. He is currently under house arrest and has recently been charged in a corruption case involving a controversial property deal.
Opposition parties also accuse the government of undermining state institutions and consolidating power. Meanwhile, the ranks of the main opposition Democratic Party have been undermined by a long-running power struggle between Berisha and rival politicians.
