Protesters clash with Police in Socialist Party Rally

Supporters of Albania's opposition Socialist Party clashed with police outside the prime minister's office on Friday at the start of a rally, called to demand the government's resignation over corruption allegations.

Tirane, ALBANIA - Friday, January 21, 2011
By Tamas Varga and Vedat Xhymshiti

Protesters clashed with riot police outside Albania's main government building Friday as more than 20,000 people joined an opposition rally to demand the conservative government call an early general election. Police fired tear gas and used water cannons against several hundred violent protesters, who threw rocks at police, leaving at least one officer injured.

A small group among a crowd of demonstrators threw sticks, stones and umbrellas at the police and scuffled with them. Police used teargas and a water cannon to disperse the crowd. One demonstrator and a policeman were hurt, a Reuters witness said.