UK Must Ensure Albanian Returnees’s Dignity, Expert Says
Communications expert from Tirana tells BIRN that Britain must ensure returnees’ ‘dignity, safety, and respectful treatment’, after a UK report said some Albanians returning voluntarily were kept waiting for weeks in detention. Original post Here
‘Coordinated’ Cyber Attack Targets Albania’s Online Citizens Channel
A major cyber attack on the online media outlet Citizens Channel by unknown perpetrators has raised fresh concerns about media freedom and access to independent information in Albania. Original post Here
‘R and M’: Albanian Officials Accused of Siphoning Public Funds via Frontmen
Two senior public officials in the Albanian capital, Tirana, stand accused of fixing state tenders to enrich a company they owned through front men. Original post Here
Seven Migrants Killed in Car Crash While Fleeing Albanian Police
Seven suspected migrants and an alleged people-smuggler were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling crashed at high speed as the driver was trying to get away from the Albanian police. Original post Here
New Probe of Albanian Protesters’ Killings Gives Hope for Justice
Families of demonstrators shot dead by security forces at an anti-government protest in 2011 have renewed hopes of justice after the Supreme Court transferred the case to a powerful special prosecution service that deals with high-level crime. Original post Here
Parts of Albania’s Opposition Spurns Call to Join Anti-Corruption Commission
Several opposition groups have rejected PM Edi Rama’s invitation for them back a parliamentary commission tasked with undertaking a more systemic fight against corruption, saying Rama has no crerdibility in this field Original post Here
Balkan States Fall in Press Freedom Rankings
Four Balkan states slipped down the latest press freedom rankings compiled by Reporters Without Borders. Original post Here
Boys Preferred: Sex-Selective Abortion Still Happening in the Balkans
In some parts of the Balkans, particularly among Albanians, a practice of selective abortion continues to cause a disbalance in the ratio of boys to girls born each year. Original post Here
Albania Sees Rise in Killings, Crime Starting from Toxic Online Content
Experts say legislation is needed to address toxic social media content that too often turns into offline violence in Albania, but there are fears authorities will seek again to exploit the issue for political gain. Original post Here
Albania Parliament’s Disinformation Committee: Welcome Vigilance – or Threat to Free Expression?
While addressing disinformation is a crucial task, the concern is that Albania’s new parliamentary committee could be just another tool to silence critical voices. Original post Here