The Albanian defence ministry has said that two Russians and a Ukrainian have been arrested after an apparently bungled spying raid on a military base and arms factory in central Albania.

While trying to take photographs of the Gramsh factory, one of the male suspects allegedly attacked the guards with a paralysing spray.

Following the raid, two Albanian soldiers were injured while trying to get hold of the three individuals that were “suspected of espionage”, according to Prime Minister Edi Rama.

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Çfarë trishtimi që edhe kur bëhet fjalë për një ngjarje kaq delikate sa ajo e Gramshit, gjithëfarë gjelash laramanë ia marrin avazit majë plehut të interesave të tyre mizerabël! Po edhe çfarë krenarie për rojet ushtarake që i neutralizuan tre individët e dyshuar për spiunazh!
— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ediramaal/status/1561101617251975168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Balkan country's Defence Minister Niko Peleshi said that a Russian man along with a 25-year-old Ukrainian was also arrested in a car near the factory.

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The country's ministry said in a statement, "In an attempt to escape control, one of the Russian nationals, identified by the initials MZ, 24 [years old], used neuroparalysing spray on the two security guards.”

Many Russians and Ukrainian tourists visit Albania during the summer holidays and the Gramsh military base is more than 70km away from the beaches.

The plant, which provides manufacturing services for the defence industry, was used to produce the Russian type of rifle AK-47 and dismantle small arms and ammunition during communist rule.

Joining the United States and other western countries to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, NATO member Albania had also introduced sanctions against Moscow.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Albanian defence ministry has said that two Russians and a Ukrainian have been arrested after an apparently bungled spying raid on a military base and arms factory in central Albania.

The Albanian defence ministry has said that two Russians and a Ukrainian have been arrested after an apparently bungled spying raid on a military base and arms factory in central Albania. While trying to take photographs of the Gramsh factory, one of the male suspects allegedly attacked the guards with a paralysing spray. Following the raid, two Albanian soldiers were injured while trying to get hold of the three individuals that were “suspected of espionage”, according to Prime Minister Edi Rama. Çfarë trishtimi që edhe kur bëhet fjalë për një ngjarje kaq delikate sa ajo e Gramshit, gjithëfarë gjelash laramanë ia marrin avazit majë plehut të interesave të tyre mizerabël! Po edhe çfarë krenarie për rojet ushtarake që i neutralizuan tre individët e dyshuar për spiunazh! — Edi Rama (@ediramaal) August 20, 2022 × The Balkan country's Defence Minister Niko Peleshi said that a Russian man along with a 25-year-old Ukrainian was also arrested in a car near the factory. × The country's ministry said in a statement, "In an attempt to escape control, one of the Russian nationals, identified by the initials MZ, 24 [years old], used neuroparalysing spray on the two security guards.” Many Russians and Ukrainian tourists visit Albania during the summer holidays and the Gramsh military base is more than 70km away from the beaches. The plant, which provides manufacturing services for the defence industry, was used to produce the Russian type of rifle AK-47 and dismantle small arms and ammunition during communist rule. Joining the United States and other western countries to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, NATO member Albania had also introduced sanctions against Moscow. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

After suspected spying raid on Albanian arms factory, two Russians and one Ukrainian arrested

Albania's prime minister said the country had been "wounded" by the violent earthquake this week that killed whole families and pulverised buildings, as he gave a new toll on Friday of 49 dead and 5,000 displaced.

The 6.4 magnitude quake that jolted Albania before dawn on Tuesday was the most deadly and destructive in decades.&nbsp;

Entire families were crushed by their homes while they were sleeping.&nbsp;

"We have all been touched and wounded" by the tragedy, said Prime Minister Edi Rama, his voice strained as he mentioned the death of a close friend of his son, a medical student whose body was found in the rubble with her brother and two parents.&nbsp;

The damage was most concentrated near the Adriatic coast in the port city of Durres and the town of Thumane, where scores of people were trapped beneath the wreckage of toppled apartments and hotels.

Loved ones and neighbours have watched in agony this week as rescue teams pulled corpses from the ruins.&nbsp;

On Friday the search effort wound down to focus on one or two sites in Durres, including a collapsed beach-side hotel. &nbsp;

Around 45 people were rescued from the ruins alive by relief teams, who were backed up by experts from around Europe with dogs, cameras and other equipment to comb through the rubble.

In Durres and Thumane, almost 2,000 people have been moved into hotels or other buildings &nbsp;-- either because of severe damage to their homes or because hundreds of aftershocks made their apartments unsafe.

Another 3,480 people in the capital Tirana fled in panic to shelters, with some now housed in reception centres and many staying in the homes of relatives, Rama said.

There were no casualties in Tirana but nearly 70 buildings and 250 homes were damaged, he said.&nbsp;

Teams of experts are being organised to assess the risk of damaged buildings, said Defence Minister Olta Xhacka, who urged residents to leave any homes affected by the quake.&nbsp;

"The situation of buildings with damaged structures is as dangerous as on the first day, so don't stay there, leave them," she said.&nbsp;

Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe and its urbanisation developed chaotically after the fall of communism in the 1990s.&nbsp;

A lot of construction has been done "without a building permit, without respecting rules... using non-standard materials," local architect Maks velo told AFP.

The government has promised to build new houses for earthquake victims by 2020.

Donations in multiple currencies have poured in and are expected to exceed five million euros ($5.5 million), as well as $1.5 million, Rama said.

Albania's prime minister said the country had been "wounded" by the violent earthquake this week that killed whole families and pulverised buildings, as he gave a new toll on Friday of 49 dead and 5,000 displaced.

Albania's prime minister said the country had been "wounded" by the violent earthquake this week that killed whole families and pulverised buildings, as he gave a new toll on Friday of 49 dead and 5,000 displaced. The 6.4 magnitude quake that jolted Albania before dawn on Tuesday was the most deadly and destructive in decades. Entire families were crushed by their homes while they were sleeping. "We have all been touched and wounded" by the tragedy, said Prime Minister Edi Rama, his voice strained as he mentioned the death of a close friend of his son, a medical student whose body was found in the rubble with her brother and two parents. The damage was most concentrated near the Adriatic coast in the port city of Durres and the town of Thumane, where scores of people were trapped beneath the wreckage of toppled apartments and hotels. Loved ones and neighbours have watched in agony this week as rescue teams pulled corpses from the ruins. On Friday the search effort wound down to focus on one or two sites in Durres, including a collapsed beach-side hotel. Around 45 people were rescued from the ruins alive by relief teams, who were backed up by experts from around Europe with dogs, cameras and other equipment to comb through the rubble. In Durres and Thumane, almost 2,000 people have been moved into hotels or other buildings -- either because of severe damage to their homes or because hundreds of aftershocks made their apartments unsafe. Another 3,480 people in the capital Tirana fled in panic to shelters, with some now housed in reception centres and many staying in the homes of relatives, Rama said. There were no casualties in Tirana but nearly 70 buildings and 250 homes were damaged, he said. Teams of experts are being organised to assess the risk of damaged buildings, said Defence Minister Olta Xhacka, who urged residents to leave any homes affected by the quake. "The situation of buildings with damaged structures is as dangerous as on the first day, so don't stay there, leave them," she said. Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe and its urbanisation developed chaotically after the fall of communism in the 1990s. A lot of construction has been done "without a building permit, without respecting rules... using non-standard materials," local architect Maks velo told AFP. The government has promised to build new houses for earthquake victims by 2020. Donations in multiple currencies have poured in and are expected to exceed five million euros ($5.5 million), as well as $1.5 million, Rama said.

Almost 50 dead, more than 5,000 displaced in Albania quake

Albanian opposition supporters took to the streets again on Saturday in a mostly peaceful protest, the sixth national one in three months, calling on Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down to pave the way for early elections.

Waving posters and releasing paper lanterns marked "Quit", some in the crowd of several thousand threw a dozen paint bombs at Rama's office. Some also hurled firecrackers at riot police near the parliament building.

But there was less unrest than in the last protest two weeks ago, when some demonstrators hurled petrol bombs, firecrackers and paint at the government building and parliament.

Rejecting allegations of fraud at the 2017 elections that gave his Socialist Party victory and him a second term in office, Rama told opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha he would not resign and urged him in a public letter to settle the crisis with talks.

"He is asking me, asking us to capitulate? Answer to him!" Basha told the crowd, who chanted back in unison, "Rama quit".

"Pave the way to the political solution," Basha added.

Hours before the rally, the EU delegation, its member states' embassies and the United States embassy had urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully.

"We call on all sides to build upon the existing offer for a Dialogue, with the view to finding a way out of the current political situation as a matter of urgency," the EU office said.

Albanian opposition supporters took to the streets again on Saturday in a mostly peaceful protest, the sixth national one in three months, calling on Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down to pave the way for early elections.

Albanian opposition supporters took to the streets again on Saturday in a mostly peaceful protest, the sixth national one in three months, calling on Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down to pave the way for early elections. Waving posters and releasing paper lanterns marked "Quit", some in the crowd of several thousand threw a dozen paint bombs at Rama's office. Some also hurled firecrackers at riot police near the parliament building. But there was less unrest than in the last protest two weeks ago, when some demonstrators hurled petrol bombs, firecrackers and paint at the government building and parliament. Rejecting allegations of fraud at the 2017 elections that gave his Socialist Party victory and him a second term in office, Rama told opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha he would not resign and urged him in a public letter to settle the crisis with talks. "He is asking me, asking us to capitulate? Answer to him!" Basha told the crowd, who chanted back in unison, "Rama quit". "Pave the way to the political solution," Basha added. Hours before the rally, the EU delegation, its member states' embassies and the United States embassy had urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully. "We call on all sides to build upon the existing offer for a Dialogue, with the view to finding a way out of the current political situation as a matter of urgency," the EU office said.

Albanian opposition rally renews call for PM to quit

Thousands of opposition supporters protested outside the Albanian parliament Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, and clashed with police who used tear gas and water cannons.

The socialist prime minister has been in power since 2013. His critics accuse him of corruption.

Two police officers were hospitalised and four demonstrators had to be treated for breathing problems after the clashes, the health ministry said. Protesters tried repeatedly to break through police lines.

Several windows were broken as some demonstrators threw smoke grenades and stones towards the parliament building.&nbsp;

Around 10 protesters also tried to force their into the building with an attempt to break down the entrance door, before being pushed back by police inside.

"The situation is out of control," Lulzim Basha, leader of the main opposition centre-right Democratic Party. He blamed the police for having let the demonstrators get too close to the building so as to "incite violence" and allow Rama to denounce the opposition.

Thousands of demonstrators were still massed outside parliament by the early afternoon, an AFP journalist said.

"The 16th of February will be the last day in power for Rama," Basha told a meeting of his supporters on Wednesday. "This regime must be overturned at all costs."

Saturday's demonstration in the capital is the latest in a series that Basha has organised.

An opposition coalition made up of five parties, ranging from the centre right to the centre left, has accused Rama of "collusion with organised crime" and having "plunged the country into corruption and poverty".

They want him to stand aside in favour of a government of technocrats who would prepare early parliamentary elections.

One of the characteristics of political life in Albania is the violence of its rhetoric. Both the left and the right have accused their opponents of corruption and of being linked to organised crime.

Thousands of opposition supporters protested outside the Albanian parliament Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, and clashed with police who used tear gas and water cannons.

Thousands of opposition supporters protested outside the Albanian parliament Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, and clashed with police who used tear gas and water cannons. The socialist prime minister has been in power since 2013. His critics accuse him of corruption. Two police officers were hospitalised and four demonstrators had to be treated for breathing problems after the clashes, the health ministry said. Protesters tried repeatedly to break through police lines. Several windows were broken as some demonstrators threw smoke grenades and stones towards the parliament building. Around 10 protesters also tried to force their into the building with an attempt to break down the entrance door, before being pushed back by police inside. "The situation is out of control," Lulzim Basha, leader of the main opposition centre-right Democratic Party. He blamed the police for having let the demonstrators get too close to the building so as to "incite violence" and allow Rama to denounce the opposition. Thousands of demonstrators were still massed outside parliament by the early afternoon, an AFP journalist said. "The 16th of February will be the last day in power for Rama," Basha told a meeting of his supporters on Wednesday. "This regime must be overturned at all costs." Saturday's demonstration in the capital is the latest in a series that Basha has organised. An opposition coalition made up of five parties, ranging from the centre right to the centre left, has accused Rama of "collusion with organised crime" and having "plunged the country into corruption and poverty". They want him to stand aside in favour of a government of technocrats who would prepare early parliamentary elections. One of the characteristics of political life in Albania is the violence of its rhetoric. Both the left and the right have accused their opponents of corruption and of being linked to organised crime.

Thousands of protesters clash with police outside Albanian parliament

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After suspected spying raid on Albanian arms factory, two Russians and one Ukrainian arrested

Almost 50 dead, more than 5,000 displaced in Albania quake

Albanian opposition rally renews call for PM to quit

Thousands of protesters clash with police outside Albanian parliament