Tirana (Albania):  Albania's army chief of staff was fired today over an accident at an ammunition depot three months ago that killed more than two dozen people.

Hours later, parliament voted to allow the prosecution of a former defense minister over the same accident.

Lt Gen Luan Hoxha was removed from his post by President Bamir Topi, presidential spokeswoman Mimoza Kociu said. She said the decision followed a recommendation from Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

On March 15,a series of massive explosions at an ammunition depot near the capital, Tirana, killed 26 people, injured 302 and destroyed or damaged around 5,500 houses. Berisha has said the blasts were accidentally triggered during work to dispose of excess ammunition, but investigators have not yet pinpointed their exact cause.

Lawmakers voted 101-23 to lift the parliamentary immunity of former Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu, whom prosecutors have accused of abuse of power in connection with the explosions. Two of the country's 140 deputies abstained from the vote, 13 were absent, and one ballot was invalid.

Mediu is the leader of the Republican Party, part of the governing coalition. He resigned after the blast but has denied breaking any law.

"As defence minister I respected the law (and) considered disposing of excess ammunition a national priority ," he told the parliamentary session.

The Socialist-led opposition has accused the government of corruption in dealing with the disposal of obsolete weapons, and has urged Berisha to resign.

Source : PTI