In the Albanian capital Tirana, police used force against protesters demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama step down.

Albanian police fired water cannon and tear gas at protesters outside Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office in the capital, Tirana, who were demanding his resignation following a major corruption scandal.

On Tuesday night, protesters threw Molotov cocktails and flares at police, who fired water cannon and tear gas into the crowd. According to media reports, clashes also occurred near the Albanian parliament building.

At least 16 people were injured and taken to hospital, while 13 others were arrested at the scene. Media reports have disputed whether the number of injured represents only police, protesters or both.

The protest was the latest in a series of anti-government demonstrations in Albania in recent months.

Political discontent has been simmering since November, when prosecutors accused Deputy Prime Minister and Albanian Energy and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Baruku of interfering in the procurement of government construction contracts.

She was briefly suspended before being reinstated the next month at the request of Prime Minister Rama.

Protesters say they want both Rama and Baluku to step down. They also called on Parliament to suspend Baruku’s immunity so she could face prosecution.

More than 1,300 police were deployed at Tuesday’s demonstrations, just two weeks after another violent rally in Tirana.

Both protests were initiated by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition Democratic Party.

He said on Tuesday that the protests were a sign that a “peaceful uprising” was underway in Albania, The Associated Press reported.

Berisha has faced corruption charges in the past.

Political analyst Mentor Kikia told The Associated Press that Albania’s leadership and opposition suffer similar disadvantages.

“Citizens are distrustful and they keep voting for lesser evils to eliminate greater evils,” he said.

“The current view is that if Rama leaves, Berisha will come back. One person leaves power because of corruption, and the other must also leave power because of corruption,” Kikia said.