Protesters in Tirana clash with police outside Parliament
Baku, June 30, AZERTAC
A group of protesters gathered outside Parliament on Monday as lawmakers held a plenary session, according to the Alban News Agency (ATA). Holding banners and chanting slogans including “Sold-out opposition”, “Your time is up” and “Rama, resign”, the protesters assembled outside the parliamentary building.
Today’s protest was announced a day earlier, with organisers calling on citizens to gather outside Parliament ahead of the plenary session.
Socialist Party lawmakers arrived at Parliament about 30 minutes before the session began following the announcement of the protest outside the building.
After standing outside Parliament for about an hour, the protesters moved from the side of the building to the main entrance.
They also wheeled a rubbish bin to the area, while repeatedly chanting, “Rama in the bin, Berisha in the bin.”
Outside Parliament, several protesters wrote the words “Parliament of Crime” on the pavement as a symbolic act.
The protest also saw moments of tension, with demonstrators throwing eggs at vehicles inside Parliament’s security perimeter.
Police formed a security cordon, preventing protesters from entering the Parliament compound.
Meanwhile, students opted for a different form of protest. They also issued a message to police, accusing them of applying double standards.
“We are against double standards. Students should not face legal action while cars block the streets of Tirana and disrupt traffic. We are protesting and our demands are clear. Fine the MPs and do not prosecute students,” they said.
Police requested that the road be cleared, while protesters refused.
“We will not clear the road for thieves and illiterates. This is public space, it belongs to us, we will not move,” one of them said.
Due to rising tensions and clashes with police, reinforcements were called in, with Rapid Intervention Forces deployed to reopen the road.
The situation outside Parliament escalated after protesters blocked both entrances to the building. During the tensions, police detained Dritan Goxhaj, along with another individual.
Following the incident, protesters moved towards the Tirana Local Police Directorate, where they demanded the release of those detained.
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