Protesters allegedly tried to throw petrol bombs at a government facility, resulting in injuries to multiple police officers.
In Tirana, the capital of Albania, a group of demonstrators, organized by the opposition Democratic Party, reportedly launched Molotov cocktails and fireworks at the office of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. The protest, in response to corruption accusations against the deputy prime minister, attracted thousands of participants. Several police officers sustained injuries during the incident, and three protesters were reportedly taken into custody. Law enforcement authorities resorted to using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd as they moved towards the Parliament building in Tirana.
Albania is facing an escalating political crisis following allegations by anti-corruption prosecutors against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku for purportedly manipulating major state contracts. Balluku has been accused of influencing public tenders to benefit specific companies involved in infrastructure projects like Tirana’s Greater Ring Road and the Llogara Tunnel. Despite being dismissed from her position by Albania’s Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) in November, Balluku was reinstated by the constitutional court recently, triggering widespread protests. Efforts to revoke her parliamentary immunity for potential arrest have been postponed until January 28.
Prime Minister Rama has stood by Balluku, criticizing her removal as setting a dangerous precedent and labeling it absurd. He defended the anti-corruption agency, acknowledging its recent errors as part of its developmental phase. Opposition leaders have declared their intent to sustain anti-government demonstrations in the future.