Ninth policeman killed in Albania this month

Masked gunmen have shot dead a policeman in the town of Shijak in central Albania.

The officer named as Bujar Kastrati was killed instantly in the town market when the five gunmen opened fire from a passing car.

According to the Interior Ministry, he is the ninth member of the Albanian police to be murdered so far this month.

Correspondents say that, although the Socialist- led government in Tirana has stopped the widespread violence that erupted during anti-government protests in the Spring, there are still random shootings and explosions in many parts of Albania.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service