Protesters and Hunger Strike Calling for Election Transparency Reach 15th Day

Peaceful Demonstrations Met With Violence as Tensions Rise

TIRANA, Albania, May 14, 2010 - Weeks of protests held by members of the Socialist Party of Albania
calling for transparency within the government have drawn the attention of
the international community and a series of demonstrations have slowed the
central European nation to a standstill. On April 30th, 200,000 protestors
marched through Tirana toward the office of Albanian Prime Minister Sali
Berisha, where 202 Members of Parliament and fellow citizens began a Hunger
Strike in a "city of tents" on Tirana's Martyrs of the Nation Boulevard,
between the Prime Minister's office and the offices of the Speaker of
Parliament. A second major demonstration is scheduled for Friday, May 14,
2010 with more than 250,000 expected to attend.

Since the strike began, peaceful protests have been held throughout the
country where they are increasingly being met with violence and put down by
police with tear gas. These demonstrations are the culmination of more than
ten months of demands by opposition members that the results and process of
the June 28, 2009 national elections - marred by irregularities and a virtual
draw between parties - be reviewed by the Albanian parliament. Despite third
party reports calling the electoral process into question and a provision
within the Albanian constitution that enables this review, the Prime Minister
and the slimly elected Democratic Party have refused to "open the boxes."

"Our demands are simple: free and fair elections as a basis for a
functional democracy. Albanians not only want to become part of the European
Union, but they want to build Europe in their own country," said National
Party Leader and Mayor of Tirana, Edi Rama of his party's protests.

The Hunger Strike, which includes 22 Members of the Albanian Parliament,
has taken a toll on many of the participants. Now in its 15th day, 28
strikers and 2 MP's have been evacuated and hospitalized for treatment of
severe medical conditions. Mr. Asllan Dogjani, MP from the northern region of
Kukes, was hospitalized on Tuesday, due to high blood pressure and worsening
heart condition. During the last three days, the number of people that have
had to leave the hunger strike because of health emergencies has risen
quickly, while the medical staff inside the tents where the hunger strike is
taking place has warned that the situation is becoming critical. Members of
the Hunger Strike have begun recording and posting video interviews and pleas
for international assistance online
(www.opentheboxes.com/archive.php ).

On May 11th and 12th the police used tear gas and batons to disperse
citizens protesting for their right to transparency by blocking a road in
southern Albania. More than a dozen people were injured and hospitalized,
including two MPs from the Korca region. Police also used violence against
citizens protesting for their right of transparency in other cities,
including Vlora, Shkodra, Fier, Tirana, Tepelena and Berat. In the past two
days, more than 47 Albanian citizens have been arrested by the state police,
for having participated in peaceful protests across the country.

This demand of the opposition has not received any answer by the Albanian
government.

Jake Ward, +1-202-420 8056, jward at brodeur.com, for the Socialist Party of Albania