Media rights groups have called on Albania’s police to explain the arrest of a journalist and two police officers for producing ‘false information’ for the purpose of denigrating state officials. Original post Here

Five years ago, Albania promised its Roma community “full equality and integration”. There has been no discernible change. Original post Here

Prosecutors say Gent Sejko has questions to answer over a dodgy company that harassed some 17,000 Albanians for nonexistant loans, and which operated under bank’s license for years. Original post Here

Albanian and Spanish Police in a two-year investigation have uncovered a crime group that forged documents to enable Albanians to illegally enter the UK and Ireland. Original post Here

As beaches, historic sites and natural beauties in Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece and Turkey draw increasing numbers of tourists, governments eye bumper profits – though experts warn that relentless growth in the sector comes with costs. Original post Here

Public institutions in the six Western Balkan countries routinely refuse to respond to freedom of information requests, and it’s getting worse, a new report from the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network warns. Original post Here

Prime Minister Edi Rama has pushed through a resolution setting up a new Special Anti-Corruption Commission – but critics claim it’s a partisan initiative, established to combat negative publicity over graft cases involving former ruling party politicians. Original post Here

Italy’s right-wing prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, inspected work on two asylum centres being built in Albania under a controversial deal between the two countries. Original post Here

Prison populations and incarceration rates in the Balkans are too high and continuing to grow, according to new research. Original post Here

An exhaustive analysis of organised crime and corruption trials in five Western Balkan countries identified a lack of efficiency, staffing, fairness and quality. Original post Here