Albanian protester sets himself on fire

An ALBANIAN former political prisoner set himself on fire yesterday after the government ruled out talks on his demands for compensation for his suffering under communism.

Gjergj Ndreca, 51, was among 20 former dissidents imprisoned during the communist era who had been fasting for 17 days to draw attention to their demands. The government said they have already received compensation.

The unemployed father-of-four stepped away from the group of hunger strikers in Tirana and tried to set himself on fire. Doctors said they were not sure he would survive.

Mr Ndreca was imprisoned for six years under the rule of Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha for trying to defect.