Thousands call on Albanian speaker to quit over murder plot claim

Several thousand Albanian opposition supporters rallied Thursday in Tirana to call on the speaker of parliament to resign, as he faced accusations of plotting the murder of two lawmakers.
Ilir Meta has branded the accusation "pure defamation", while the ruling socialists denounced both the claim and Thursday's rally as bids to "destabilise" the country.
"Ilir Meta should go, he is accused of murder!" opposition leader Lulzim Basha told crowds gathered in front of the government headquarters.
Lawmaker Tom Doshi was expelled from the socialist party after accusing Meta of plotting to kill him and an opposition MP.
A prosecutor last week launched a probe into the claims. A judge has since questioned several officials, including Prime Minister Edi Rama, Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri and Meta himself.
Last June, Albania's candidacy to join the EU was confirmed, but the EU says Tirana must do more to fight organised crime and reform the judiciary.