TIRANA—Albanian authorities began demolishing the national theatre building early on May 17 after dragging away two dozen actors and activists protecting the site, drawing a large crowd chanting “shame” and “dictatorship.”
For more than two years, actors, activists, and the opposition have contested plans by Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama to build a new theatre, saying the existing building was part of the country’s heritage, and accused him of corrupt practices.
