Albanian Parliament Erupts in Chaos Amidst Corruption Allegations
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A wave of political unrest has gripped Albania, as opposition lawmakers engaged in a physical confrontation with police forces during a parliamentary session disrupted by protests. The turmoil centers around serious corruption allegations leveled against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, with calls for her arrest intensifying.
Tensions reached a boiling point on Thursday as opposition members of Parliament sought to halt proceedings, alleging widespread corruption within the government. Demonstrators escalated the situation by deploying smoke bombs and throwing water inside the parliamentary chamber in an attempt to derail the session.
Parliamentary Session Disrupted by Protest
The parliamentary session was temporarily suspended as police intervened to restore order and remove the disruptive elements. According to reports, the intervention of law enforcement allowed the session to resume despite the ongoing protests. This incident underscores the deep political divisions currently fracturing Albanian politics.
SPAK Seeks Arrest of Deputy Prime Minister
Adding further weight to the accusations, the SPAK – Albania’s special prosecutor’s office – has formally requested the revocation of Deputy Prime Minister Balluku’s parliamentary immunity, paving the way for her potential arrest. This move signals a significant escalation in the investigation into the alleged corruption.
“The request for immunity revocation is a serious step, indicating the prosecutor’s office believes there is substantial evidence to warrant further investigation and potential charges,” stated a senior official familiar with the case.
The specific nature of the corruption allegations against Balluku remains largely undisclosed at this time, but the SPAK’s involvement suggests the accusations are substantial and potentially far-reaching. The unfolding situation raises critical questions about the rule of law and the integrity of government officials in Albania. The coming days will be crucial as the parliament considers the SPAK’s request and the nation awaits further developments in this rapidly evolving political crisis.
