On October 7, violent anti-government protests erupted in Tirana in response to the imprisonment of opposition MP Ervin Salianji. Protesters threw Molotov cocktails at key government buildings, including the prime minister’s office and the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party. Clashes with police occurred outside parliament, where law enforcement used tear gas to control the unrest. The demonstrations were led by supporters of the opposition Democratic and Freedom Parties, who accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of authoritarianism. Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, under house arrest for corruption charges, praised the protests as part of ongoing civil disobedience. The opposition demands a technocratic caretaker government before the 2025 parliamentary elections. Ten police officers were injured, while injuries among protesters remain unclear. The Albanian police initiated proceedings against three Democratic Party officials and several protesters for organizing illegal gatherings and attacking police. Read more here.
Source: Balkan Insight