Protests have erupted in Albania overnight after prosecutors indicted the country's deputy prime minister for alleged corruption.
Petrol bombs were thrown at Government buildings in the capital of Tirana after accusations were made against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.
Along with several officials and private companies, Ms Balluku has been accused of using state funds to favour some companies in major infrastructure projects.
She referred to the accusations in parliament last month as "mudslinging, insinuations, half-truths and lies," and said she would fully cooperate with the judiciary.
A supporter of the opposition is burned by a Molotov cocktail during an anti-government protest in Tirana
|REUTERS
Belinda Balluku has been accused of corruption (file pic)
|GETTY
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Officers in riot gear protected the government buildings but did not push back the protesters.
Arben Sulo, one of the protesters, told reporters: "We have had enough because it's a matter of tens and hundreds of millions of euros stolen, and she isn't resigning. This is disgraceful"
The Special Prosecution Office, tasked with combating corruption and organised crime, has requested parliament lift Balluku's immunity this week and allow her arrest.
It is not clear when the parliament, where Prime Minister Edi Rama's ruling centre-left party holds a majority, is expected to vote on the arrest.
Supporters of the opposition attend an anti-government protest, in Tirana
|REUTERS
Police officers react to a Molotov cocktail as supporters of the opposition attend an anti-government protest in Tirana
|REUTERS
A supporter of the opposition is burned by a Molotov cocktail
|REUTERS
Opposition lawmakers scuffled with security officers inside the Albanian parliament building earlier this week as tensions boiled over.
Lawmakers lit flares, threw water at the speaker and occupied seats reserved for government ministers in a bid to disrupt the session, before police intervened.
Leader of the opposition Democratic Party Sali Berisha said: "There could be no parliament with those who steal and run.
"The law and only the law must prevail."
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Members of parliament from the Democratic Party scuffle inside the government building
|REUTERS
Leader of the opposition Sali Berisha addressed supporters last night
|REUTERS
Supporters of the opposition clash with police
|REUTERS
Belind Kellici, a Democratic Party MP, vowed protests will continue, telling local media: "This is only the beginning."
As a result of the incidents, two State Police officers, a photographer, and a protester were injured.
The head of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, Taulant Balla has reacted to the protests, directly accusing Mr Berisha of "burning" the country.
Mr Balla wrote in his reaction: "Sali, you can no longer burn Albania", accompanying the post with the photo from last night's protest.
Police officers react to a Molotov cocktail as supporters of the opposition attend an anti-government protest in Tirana
|REUTERS
A supporter of the opposition in Albania gestures as police officers react to a Molotov cocktail
|REUTERS
MS Balluku also heads the Ministry of Infrastructure, which manages hundreds of millions of euros in projects such as roads, bridges, and tunnels.
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