Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have rallied in Albania's capital Tirana, nearly a month after four demonstrators were killed in a similar protest that turned violent.
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have rallied in Albania's capital Tirana, nearly a month after four demonstrators were killed in a similar protest that turned violent.
The crowd brandished Albanian flags but also signs reading 'Berisha go away', in reference to Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
Others read 'Justice', and 'We want early elections'.
A crowd of between 20,000 and 30,000 people attended the rally according to independent estimates - organisers put their numbers at 200,000. The rally was called by the Socialist Party of Tirana's mayor Edi Rama.
Mr Rama was expected to speak at the end of the demonstration, which began with a march through the capital and ended outside government headquarters, ringed by dozens of riot police.
Mr Berisha has accused Mr Rama of trying to use the protest to launch a coup, a charge the opposition leader has denied.
The government has appointed a parliamentary committee to investigate what happened at the protest where the protestors were killed, but opposition deputies have refused to cooperate.
Four top officers of Albania's Republican Guard accused of being involved in the deaths have been detained for a month while the prosecutor's office continues its probe.
The current political crisis is the longest Albania has known in its post-communist democracy. Both sides are now under huge international pressure to make sure new rallies do not turn violent.
This weekend the government is also planning a show of force as its supporters are expected to flock to a specially organised concert to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of communist dictator Enver Hoxha.
