Albanian opposition leader Berisha released from house arrest, court says

FILE PHOTO: Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha gestures during a protest in Tirana, Albania, December 21, 2023 REUTERS/Florion Goga/File Photo

TIRANA (Reuters) - Opposition leader Sali Berisha was released from house arrest following a ruling from an Albanian court on Wednesday, while he awaits trial on corruption charges, just as popular protests against his detainment intensified.

Berisha, 80, has been detained since December 2023 and was indicted in September when prosecutors filed charges, accusing him of using his influence in his first term as prime minister between 2005-2009, to help his son-in-law win a lucrative construction contract.