Protesters in Tirana, Albania hurled petrol bombs at the government building housing Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office on Monday, demanding the government’s resignation after prosecutors indicted the deputy prime minister for alleged corruption.
Political tensions in Albania have escalated in recent weeks after the accusations were made against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.
Along with several officials and private companies, she has been accused of using state funds to favour some companies in major infrastructure projects.
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She referred to the accusations in parliament last month as “mudslinging, insinuations, half-truths and lies”, and said she would fully cooperate with the judiciary.
The Special Prosecution Office, tasked with combating corruption and organised crime, has requested that parliament lift Balluku’s immunity this week and allow her arrest. It is not clear when the parliament, where Rama’s ruling party holds a majority, is expected to vote.
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As protesters threw petrol bombs on Monday, police in riot gear protected the government building but did not push back the protesters.