3 hours agoAntigovernmental protests in Albania, tear gas clashes what happened last night in Tirana
Periskopi(3 months ago)
(3 months ago)Protesters have clashed with members of the rule forces during a opposition protest against the Government in Albania late Friday, which ended with some injured, including MPs, officers and protesters. Protesters, after a speech by opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, threw Molotovs and fireworks towards the Government building [...]
Protesters, following a speech by opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, threw Molotovs and fireworks towards the country's Government building in Tirana.
Order forces were forced to use water cannons and pepper spray to disperse protesters. But protesters moved next towards the Parliament, where they tried to break the police cordon.
In Friday's protest, several Democrat deputies, protesters and police workers were accompanied by ambulances to the hospital for treatment.
The largest opposition party in the country has held protests from time to time since late last year, demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation and the establishment of a technical government.
It accuses the Socialist Government of “corruption”, and of “blocking justice”, claiming this is “obstruction for the country's path towards the European Union”.
Albania is awaiting the European Commission's annual Standards Expedition Report (IBAR), where progress in rule of law, judiciary and the fight against corruption is estimated for key chapters 23 and 24 in membership negotiations.
The positive assessment of this document is the important precondition for Albania to begin closing the chapters of membership negotiations.
Last year, Albania broke the record by opening within a year all chapters in the process of EU membership talks.
Albania aims to be part of the bloc before 2030.
But antigovernmental protests increased after the Special Prosecutor, SPAK, filed charges last year against the country's deputy prime minister, Belinda Balluk.
The Parliament's decision not to lift the MP's immunity to Balluk escalated the political clash in the country.
The SPAK had asked the Parliament since 16 December last year to remove Balluk's immunity, as prosecutors seek its arrest on charges of corruption.
Balluk is also under investigation for seven more procurement procedures related to several infrastructure projects in Tirana.
On February 26th, Prime Minister Edi Rama dismissed Balluk from government posts.
The Socialist Party opposes Balluk's arrest, arguing that it cannot destroy evidence or escape, cannot repeat criminal work, and the SPAK's way to investigate it is open.
The Democratic Party has declared that immunity should not turn into shield or obstacle to justice. / REL/
