Albanian police sue opposition leader, say he urged violence

Albania's main opposition Democratic party supporters gather during a rally in Tirana, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. Albania’s main opposition Democratic party has boycotted parliament in their street protest calling for free and fair elections. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) (The Associated Press)

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama delivers a speech to the parliament with the seats of the main opposition Democratic party, left, empty, during an assembly session in Tirana, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. Albania's main opposition Democratic party has boycotted parliament in their street protest calling for free and fair elections. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) (The Associated Press)

TIRANA, Albania – Albanian police have sued the leader of the country's opposition Democratic Party for allegedly inciting calls for violence.

A police statement Saturday said Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha on Friday urged "citizens to violently react against state institutions," a crime that, if proven, carries up to a three-year jail sentence.

For a week, the Democrats have blocked the main boulevard in Tirana, the capital, saying they don't trust the left-wing government to hold the June 18 parliamentary election in a fair manner. They want a caretaker cabinet instead.

Police quoted Basha as saying "You want a fight? A fight it will be. Puncture the car tires, break the glasses. Time will come to drag (officials) at this square."

Basha has not commented on the police move.