Albanian Opposition Rally Descends into Violent Clashes with Riot Police

Protesters hurl stones at riot police in Tirana on Friday. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Supporters of Albania's opposition Socialist Party have clashed with riot police in Tirana on Friday during a protest rally.

The clashes became violent after a smaller group of the protesters assailed the policemen with stones and sticks.

The riot police responded by using teargas and water to scatter the crowd, BGNES reported. At least several people – both protesters and police officers – have been reported wounded.

Friday's rally was the start of Albanian opposition's protest against the government demanding its resignation because of corruption accusations.

Some 20 000 are believed to have participated in the opposition rally in Tirana, urging early elections. The Socialist Party-led opposition has called for early elections as Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta resigned on Friday after he was charged with corruption.

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