Albanian opposition leader faces arrest after immunity lifted

Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha gestures during a protest after the parliament voted to lift his immunity so he can face corruption charges, in Tirana, Albania, December 21, 2023 REUTERS/Florion Goga

TIRANA (Reuters) - Albania's parliament voted on Thursday to lift the immunity of opposition leader Sali Berisha after his indictment on corruption charges, a decision expected to lead to his arrest.

Prosecutors charged Berisha, 79, a former president and prime minister, in October with using his influence while premier between 2005 and 2009 to favour his daughter's husband in the privatisation of state land.