Protests in Albania escalate to violence, dozens injured

(Patria) – Albanian demonstrators threw several Molotov cocktails in front of Prime Minister Edi Rama's office.

Demonstrators who have been on the streets of Tirana for more than three months are demanding that the Prime Minister step down due to alleged corruption.

Firecrackers, Molotov cocktails, and paint were thrown at the entrance to the government and parliament buildings. In the police's attempt to disperse the demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons, several police officers and demonstrators were injured.

 Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha stated that the opposition is 'ready for an even greater and more decisive battle as long as the government keeps Albania out of Europe'.

'We are here with the task of freeing Albania from crime and corruption, so that it can be like the rest of Europe,' Basha addressed thousands of citizens participating in the protests.

Last year, the European Commission proposed that Albania start accession negotiations, but the European Council postponed the decision until June of this year, until Albania deals with corruption in the judiciary.

The European Union and the US have called the government legitimate and have called on the opposition to express its stance through local elections on June 30.

Prime Minister Edi Rama called the opposition 'blind' and commented that their attack harms the country, not the government.

The US Embassy in Albania also commented on the protests. 'The opposition's stated goal of strengthening democracy in Albania is contrary to the violence that demonstrators are currently carrying out,' the US Embassy said in a statement, Reuters agency reported.