US State Department Denounces Crime and Corruption, Protesters Warn of Growth in August with Diaspora Support

During the 59th rally in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, a participant referred to the latest assessment by the US State Department to reinforce the call for the executive’s removal. She highlighted that the July 27 document describes Albania as a country where increased caution is needed regarding organized crime, while criminal groups engage in international trafficking and money laundering.

The protester stressed that the international report mentions a 7% increase in crime and underscores that lack of transparency, corruption and impunity continue to be serious concerns. Labeling the government as linked to narco-structures, she declared that its downfall will come when citizens overcome fear, and added that the square will fill even more during August with the arrival of Albanians from the diaspora.