Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Albanian Protests Erupt Over Corruption Charges
People in Albania are very upset and protesting in the capital city, Tirana.
They are throwing petrol bombs at the government building because they think the Deputy Prime Minister, Belinda Balluku, and other officials have been stealing money.
The protesters want the government to step down.
The Deputy Prime Minister says the accusations are not true and she will cooperate with the judges.
The police are there to protect the government building but are not stopping the protesters.
The protesters say a lot of money has been stolen, and they are tired of it.
Protesters in Tirana hurled petrol bombs at the government building, demanding the resignation of the Albanian government.
Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has been indicted for alleged corruption and misuse of state funds.
The Special Prosecution Office has requested parliament to lift Balluku's immunity and allow her arrest.
Balluku heads the Ministry of Infrastructure, which manages hundreds of millions of euros in projects.
Protesters claim that tens and hundreds of millions of euros have been stolen, and they are demanding accountability.
- Who
- Protesters in Tirana, Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, Prime Minister Edi Rama
- What
- Protests and corruption charges against the Albanian government
- When
- December 22, 2023
- Where
- Tirana, Albania
- Why
- Prosecutors indicted Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku for alleged corruption, leading to protests demanding the government's resignation
- Location
- Tirana, Albania
- Date
- December 22, 2023
- Accused Official
- Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku
- Charges
- Corruption and misuse of state funds
- Protester Demands
- Government resignation
- Protester Actions
- Petrol bombs hurled at government building
- Police Response
- Protected the government building but did not push back protesters
- Protester Quote
- We have had enough because it’s a matter of tens and hundreds of millions of euros stolen, and she isn’t resigning. This is disgraceful.