1997 Albanian civil unrest
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In 1997, Albania experienced a severe political, economic and security crisis after the collapse of large-scale pyramid investment schemes. The schemes had attracted deposits from a large share of the
Evacuation of United States citizens during Operation Silver Wake
During the riots in the city of Vlorë, men broke rocks to hurl at police.
Protesters throwing stones at riot policemen
Money lenders in Vlora
Sali Berisha
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Sali Ram Berisha is an Albanian politician and retired cardiologist who served as President of Albania from 1992 to 1997 and as the 32nd Prime Minister of Albania from 2005 to 2013. He was the foundin
1997 Albanian civil unrest
…time. Their collapse triggered mass protests, especially in Vlorë and other southern towns, and developed into a broader rebellion against President Sali Berisha and the Democratic Party government. The crisis combined several factors: the collapse of the financial schemes, public anger over official tolerance…
Berisha in 2025
Berisha with Silvio Berlusconi in Meise, 2006
Berisha with George W. Bush in Tirana, 2007
Berisha with Wilfried Martens and Kostas Karamanlis, 2007