FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The opposition rally is expected to take place amid heavy rain and strong security measures in Tirana...
The eighth national protest of the Democratic Party begins in a few minutes, as citizens and opposition supporters have begun to gather in front of the Prime Minister's Office and at the DP headquarters.
The rally is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM, but the heavy rain that has hit Tirana is making it difficult for the rally to take place.
Around 1,500 police officers have been deployed on the ground, while several of the main roads in the center of the capital have been blocked since the afternoon. Police Chief Skënder Hita himself has been on the ground.
The police have banned the circulation and parking of vehicles on the "Martyrs of the Nation" boulevard, from the "Dajti Bridge" area to "Ismail Qemali" street, as well as on several other streets near the Prime Minister's Office.
Although the Blue House had previously announced that the protest would not feature political speeches and would focus more on the march and symbolic forms of protest, a mini-podium has been set up in front of the Prime Minister's Office.
It remains unclear whether there will be speeches from opposition leaders during the rally or whether the podium will be used for other organizational elements. Meanwhile, leader Sali Berisha has gone to headquarters.
Today's protest comes after the April 17 rally, which was accompanied by strong tensions and clashes between protesters and police.
At the last protest, speeches were initially given by opposition leaders, while the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, accused the government of electoral manipulation and vote control.
After the speeches ended, the situation became tense when a group of protesters threw Molotov cocktails, fireworks, and other pyrotechnic devices towards the Prime Minister's Office building.
The police reacted immediately by intervening with tear gas, pressurized water, pepper spray, and rubber batons to disperse the protesters.
The clashes continued for several minutes on the boulevard, while some of the protesters then moved towards the Parliament area.
Further tensions were recorded near the Namazgja Mosque, where opposition MPs, including Flamur Noka and Bledjon Nallbati, clashed with police officers in an attempt to break the security cordon.
Law enforcement used water cannons to stop the advance of protesters and keep the security perimeter near the Parliament blocked.
As a result of the clashes, several opposition representatives were injured. Luçiano Boçi, Aulon Kalaja and Klevis Balliu ended up in hospital for medical attention, while Flamur Noka was seen lying in the street receiving first aid after being sprayed with pepper spray.
The April 17 rally lasted nearly two hours and ended with a closing message from Sali Berisha from the Democratic Party headquarters.
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