Albania Says Coup Attempt Crushed; 3 Dead
The government in this capital said Monday that it had crushed an attempted coup and was back in control of the city after a day of fighting in which at least three people died.
“Police have taken the . . . situation under control. The attempt at a coup d’etat today failed,” Interior Minister Perikli Teta said on national television.
Gunfire and explosions shook the city for much of Monday after the funeral of a slain opposition politician erupted into violence. Leading opposition member Azem Hajdari and a bodyguard were gunned down Saturday outside the headquarters here of the Democratic Party of Albania.
The turning point in Monday’s battle for control in this impoverished Balkan country appeared to be the recapture by police of the state television and radio station from armed men who had seized it earlier in the day.
Interior Ministry spokesman Artan Bizhga said at least three supporters of former President Sali Berisha were killed and 14 wounded in the counterattack. Berisha reportedly remained holed up at the headquarters of the Democratic Party late Monday.
The violence in Tirana threatened a repeat of nationwide riots that swept Albania last year after the collapse of pyramid investment schemes that cost many people their life savings.
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