Albania: Deputy's 'corruption' to blame as as three die in anti-government protests

ALBANIA'S main opposition party yesterday blamed the government for the deaths of three people during the most violent anti-government protests the country had seen in years.

Socialist Party leader Edi Rama directly accused interior minister Lulzim Basha of abuse of post and called for him to be arrested. He also accused prime minister Sali Berisha of being the "political orchestrator" of the deaths.

Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons in Friday's clashes with protesters demanding new elections following the resignation of the country's deputy prime minister over alleged corruption.