Hundreds of supporters of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha have gathered at the headquarters of the Democratic Party in Tirana in attempted to take it back from chairman Lulzim Basha.
Speaking to media at the headquarters, Berisha called for restraint, and he criticized Basha for closing off to PD members what he calls the “house of freedom.”
So far, protestors have smashed several windows and have used hammers in an attempt to open the secured doors of the building.
Basha and other PD members are inside the building holding a meeting.
On Twitter, US Ambassador Yuri Kim expressed concerns over the “rising tensions” and called on “protest organizers to reject violence.”
The U.S. is deeply concerned with rising tensions at the Democratic Party headquarters building and protestors' use of force. We call on protest organizers to reject violence and exercise calm. Those inciting violence or undermining the rule of law will be held accountable.
— Ambassador Yuri Kim (@USAmbAlbania) January 8, 2022
