Protest, opposition supporters accuse Edi Rama for crime

Protest, opposition supporters accuse Edi Rama for crime

Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters held an anti-government protest today calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they accuse of being linked to organized crime.

Supporters led by the Democratic Party Chair, Lulzim Basha, marched along the "Dëshmorët e Kombit" boulevard calling out, "Rama go."

They held anti-government posters, Albanian and European Union flags and some threw stones and other hard objects at the Interior Ministry.

"There is only one way out. This government is being kicked out by the united people," said Basha.

Basha said "hundreds of thousands" of supporters were taking part at the protest but until now the Police have given no evidence to support this claim.

Some protesters pulled down a fence at the Interior Ministry and tried to break the police cordon. The Democrats showed a picture of their newspaper's editor-in-chief Bledi Kasmi injured by the police. The protest ended peacefully after about two hours.

Meanwhile, Rama posted a status on Facebook to thank the Democrats "who do not support the government but still refused to take part" in this protest.

The Democrats also accuse the Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj of supporting his brother's drug-related activities.

The Minister denies the allegations, saying he would resign should the claims be proven.

EMISIONET