Opposition holds protest rally against government

TIRANA, Sep 20 – The Albanian opposition headed by leader of the Socialist Party Edi Rama, together with other coalition groupings held last week a protest rally against the government in the capital Tirana, the Albanian media inform.
The opposition said the country suffered a lack of security and justice taking into consideration the fact that after six months since the explosions in Gerdec, which killed 26 people and injured 300, there was no culprit and that the executive was also trying to hinder the investigation.
Earlier this month a key witness in the case – businessman Kosta Trebicka – was found dead under unclear circumstances. His death triggered fresh turmoil in the opposition and calls for the government’s resignation.
Thousands of Albanians marched through Tirana to protest the government’s alleged mishandling of an investigation into deadly explosions this year at an ammunition dump.
Protestors called for Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s government to resign.
Although a judicial investigation has yet to establish the cause, the government has said the explosions were accidentally triggered during work to dispose of aging Communist-era ammunition.
The Socialists claim the governing Democrats have tried to prevent an impartial investigation by exerting pressure on Albania’s judiciary.
Prosecutors have brought murder charges against a defense ministry official, as well as the owner and manager of the private company handling ammunition disposal.
The country’s defense minister and army chief of staff were fired over the blasts.
Protestors walked calmly and listened to the speakers’ speeches held in front of Berisha’s office.
What was noticed was also a form of rivalry between the supporters of the Socialists and the Socialist Movement for Integration of Ilir Meta.
After the April constitutional amendments on a new voting system _ regional proportional _ much debated and criticized from Meta’s party and other smaller groupings, the rally was the first time of a joint action.
Meta was harsher in his speech accusing Berisha and calling that he should step down now and not later.
“Berisha should leave today, tomorrow it will be too late,” said Meta, adding that idea was not shared by Rama.
While Rama was more ‘political’ mentioning the fact that further fight against the government would be held at the parliament and not in the streets.
The opposition also complained that hundreds and thousands of other supporters were blocked by police while they were coming on buses.
All speakers mentioned that Trebicka’s death was not accidental but hinted it was a murder.
Trebicka provided powerful testimony on the ammunition trade in Albania and developments leading to the Gerdec catastrophe.
Trebicka was found dead near his car in a remote area, apparently after going on a solo hunting trip. Experts from the FBI in Washington have joined the investigation because Trebicka also was a key witness in an alleged arms scandal in the States.