Thousands attend funeral of slain Albanian opposition party member

Several thousand supporters of Albania's opposition Democratic Party have attended the funeral in the capital, Tirana, of one of three party members who were ambushed and killed by masked gunmen two days ago.

The Democratic Party Secretary General, Ridvan Bode, who addrssed the crowd, accused the socialist government of direct involvement in the killings.

But the Albanian Interior Minister Neritan Ceka rejected the allegation.

The other two victims were buried earlier in the day near their homes in northern Albania.

The former Albanian president and Democratic Party leader, Sali Berisha, attended the ceremony in Tirana, but did not speak.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service