Ex-Albanian Leader Arrested, Accused of Abusing Power

TIRANA, Albania —  A former Communist prime minister suspected of squandering $8 million in Italian aid money was arrested Friday on abuse of power charges.

The detention of Fatos Nano came a day after Parliament stripped him of immunity from prosecution. Two of Nano’s former associates were also arrested, the state ATA news agency reported.

Nano, who served as prime minister in 1991, denied wrongdoing. His Socialist Party, the renamed Communists, staged a rally in Tirana on Friday in his support. Thousands gathered to demand his release, the government’s resignation and new elections.