Albanian opposition holds new anti-govt protest
TIRANA, Albania - Tens of thousands of Albanian opposition supporters marched through the capital Friday to demand that the government resigns over corruption allegations, almost a month after four people died when a similar demonstration turned violent.
Hundreds of police were guarding the main government building in Tirana, where dozens of protesters and police were injured in the Jan 21 riot.
The opposition Socialists are demanding that conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha hold early elections over allegations of corruption and vote rigging in the 2009 general election.
Shouting "Sali go," and "Prime Minister you are a murderer," as loudspeakers played sombre music, protesters filled Tirana's main boulevard. Opposition officials claimed some 200,000 people took part in the demonstration. Police did not provide an estimate.
"We shall be on the boulevard together with anyone wishing to demonstrate peacefully but in a determined way for (Berisha's) ouster and for fresh, free and fair elections," Socialist leader Edi Rama said Thursday.
Berisha has refused to resign, accusing the opposition of trying to stage a coup.
This week, the parliament voted to lift the immunity of former deputy premier Ilir Meta, who resigned last month over allegations he tried to influence a state tender for a hydropower station. Meta denied any wrongdoing.
Next week, lawmakers are expected to do the same with former economy minister Dritan Prifti, who made the allegations concerning Meta.
Albania, one of Europe's poorest countries and now a NATO member, is seeking to join the European Union, but the 27-nation bloc has said the Balkan country of 3.2 million people has not yet done enough to root out corruption.
European and U.S. officials have repeatedly called for restraint from both the Socialists and Berisha's governing Democrats.
The U.S. embassy has advised its citizens to avoid any areas where demonstrations are occurring and to limit all unnecessary travel during protests.
Hundreds of police were guarding the main government building in Tirana, where dozens of protesters and police were injured in the Jan 21 riot.
The opposition Socialists are demanding that conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha hold early elections over allegations of corruption and vote rigging in the 2009 general election.
Shouting "Sali go," and "Prime Minister you are a murderer," as loudspeakers played sombre music, protesters filled Tirana's main boulevard. Opposition officials claimed some 200,000 people took part in the demonstration. Police did not provide an estimate.
"We shall be on the boulevard together with anyone wishing to demonstrate peacefully but in a determined way for (Berisha's) ouster and for fresh, free and fair elections," Socialist leader Edi Rama said Thursday.
Berisha has refused to resign, accusing the opposition of trying to stage a coup.
This week, the parliament voted to lift the immunity of former deputy premier Ilir Meta, who resigned last month over allegations he tried to influence a state tender for a hydropower station. Meta denied any wrongdoing.
Next week, lawmakers are expected to do the same with former economy minister Dritan Prifti, who made the allegations concerning Meta.
Albania, one of Europe's poorest countries and now a NATO member, is seeking to join the European Union, but the 27-nation bloc has said the Balkan country of 3.2 million people has not yet done enough to root out corruption.
European and U.S. officials have repeatedly called for restraint from both the Socialists and Berisha's governing Democrats.
The U.S. embassy has advised its citizens to avoid any areas where demonstrations are occurring and to limit all unnecessary travel during protests.
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