"Police in Albania have fired water cannon and tear gas against protesters outside Prime Minister Edi Rama's office in the capital, Tirana, as the demonstrators called for his resignation following a major corruption scandal. Protesters threw Molotov cocktails and flares at police on Tuesday night, who sprayed water cannon and tear gas on the crowds. Clashes also occurred near Albania's parliament building, according to media reports."
"At least 16 people were injured and sent to hospital, and another 13 people were arrested at the scene. Media reports conflict over whether the number of injured represents just police officers, protesters, or both. The protest is the latest in a series of antigovernment demonstrations in Albania in recent months. Political discontent has been brewing since November, when prosecutors alleged that Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is also Albania's minister for energy and infrastructure, had interfered in the procurement of government construction contracts."
Police fired water cannon and tear gas at protesters outside Prime Minister Edi Rama's office in Tirana after demonstrators demanded his resignation over a corruption scandal. Protesters threw Molotov cocktails and flares, prompting police to spray water and gas and to arrest 13 people. At least 16 people were reported injured and taken to hospital, with media differing on whether casualties were police, protesters, or both. The protests follow allegations that Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku interfered in procurement of government construction contracts; she was briefly suspended and later reinstated. More than 1,300 police were deployed and opposition leader Sali Berisha called the rallies.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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