Lulzim Basha

The leader of Albania's opposition Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, has been ordered to appear before prosecutors on Monday to answer questions in a case related to payments that his party made to US lobbying firm Muzin Capitol Partners that were not declared in Albania.

Two other members of the Democratic Party, Arben Ristani and Ilir Dervishi, have also been summoned.

The Avdyli brothers shown in an archive photo collage.

The prosecution said it had opened an investigation into a breach of state secrets. The government has not yet commented on the case.

Albanian opposition protesters using firecrackers against police on June 2. Photo: Gjergj Erebara/BIRN

At their seventh large protest, the opposition parties again called for the removal of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Socialist-led government.

Democratic Party protesters hold a placard saying "Rama Go" at a rally in Tirana on February 16. Photo: BIRN

Led by Astrit Patozi, a former deputy chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, the new party says it hopes to be the main electoral alternative to both the government and the opposition.

Protesters push through police in Tirana on 28 March 2019. Photo: Gjergj Erebara/BIRN

The main opposition centre-right Democratic Party mustered its supporters at two points on the main pedestrian avenue and some of them attempted in vain to push through a police cordon near the entrance of the parliament.

Albanian Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha was grilled by Tirana prosecutors on Monday over 2017 payments for lobbying in the US and related expenditures.

Anti-government protesters broke through police cordons and attempted to storm Albania's parliament during a major opposition-led rally in Tirana on Saturday.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, many of whom had come prepared with gas masks.

Leader of the Democratic Party in opposition speaks to his supporters during a protest in Tirana on 5 March 2019. Photo: Gjergj Erebara/BIRN

Luigi Soreca, EU Delegation Ambassador in Tirana (front) and Knut Fleckenstein, rapporteur for Albania in the European Parliament, after meeting opposition leaders in Tirana on 28 February 2019. Photo: Malton Dibra/LSA

Knut Fleckenstein, the German rapporteur for Albania, said quitting parliament was wrong.

Opposition protesters throw flares while police officers protect Albania's parliament on 21 February 2019. Photo: Gjergj Erebara/BIRN

Opposition parties summoned their protesters on Thursday morning to near the parliament in Tirana, where police deployed about 1,000 officers, equipped with gas masks and some in full anti-riot gear.