Sali Berisha supporters try to seize Democratic Party headquarters by force

 

 Organized by former Albanian President and Prime Minister and historical leader of the opposition Democratic Party Sali Berisha, a pre-announced protest was held in Tirana in an attempt to seize the party's headquarters by force, Skopje-based TV 21 reported.

The protest escalated into violence, forcing police to use tear gas and water cannons, according to a correspondent for the Macedonian News Agency (MIA) in Tirana.

Windows and doors of the party building were broken and severe material damage was caused, forcing police to surround the building with a yellow ribbon because, he said, the area is considered a crime scene.

 There were injured protesters, but also a large number of detainees, and Chief Prosecutor Elizabeth Imeray said a thorough investigation would be conducted and those responsible would be held accountable.

Berisha said today's protest is just the first page of what is expected to happen, blaming Prime Minister Edi Rama.

 "This is the real opposition, we are invincible in the values ​​we believe in, this is a battle that will never end, what you saw today is only its first manifestation. Nothing stops us, this is the first page, Albanian society will get rid of this drug state as the worst form of dictatorship. Jellyfish leader Edi Rama is using all means today to save Lul Brava (current Democrat leader Lulzim Basha), Berisha said.

He, backed by several incumbent Democrats, called for much more massive and stronger protests, not only over Basha's release from the party, but also over "saving Albania".

 The split in the opposition party began after Basha expelled Berisha from the parliamentary group at the request of US Ambassador Yuri Kim for placing him on the US sanctions list. Then, separately, Berisha held a National Council and a referendum to remove Basha from the leadership position, while he expelled him from all party structures at a meeting of the National Shrine.

More than a thousand police officers were deployed for today's protest and were stationed in front of the government and parliament.