Opposition holds memorial protest march

TIRANA, Jan 21 – Thousands of Albanians on Saturday held a peaceful march in the capital to honor four opposition supporters shot dead a year ago in an anti-government demonstration.
Four big photos of the dead men were placed in front of the well-guarded main government building where all of them passed by and put flowers. Opposition supporters, headed by Socialist Party leader Edi Rama, marched peacefully with flowers to honor the four men and loudspeakers played somber music.
The opposition blames Prime Minister Sali Berisha for the deaths.
In a ceremony after the marching, family members of the dead called for justice.
“We are not alone in search of justice. Justice is asked for by Albania and the irreplaceable friends and partners of the Albanian people,” said Rama, adding they were hopeful the FBI forensic expertise would help prosecutors find those responsible for the deaths.
Berisha, on his side, accuses Rama of trying to come to power through violence. Days before the marching he again publicly warned Rama not to dare threaten his offices again as he would be held accountable personally.
Following continuous opposition protests for more than a year after the 2009 parliamentary elections, in January last year tensions rose sharply when then-deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta resigned amid allegations of corruption. Earlier this week the Supreme Court acquitted him of the charge.
In a joint statement the U.S. Embassy, OSCE and European Union said “the Albanian people rightfully expect justice to be delivered” also adding that “ensuring respect for the rule of law is an essential element of democratic societies and a prerequisite to move forward on EU integration.”
They urged political leaders “to give precedence to the country’s interests and those of its citizens over partisan considerations.”
The European Union has denied the candidate status to Albania in the last two years due to the ever-squabbling politics that has hampered the tiny western Balkan country’s required reforms.
Fearing unrest, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana advised all its staff and citizens in the country to avoid the capital streets Saturday.