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Albanian Court Hands Opposition Democratic Party Back to Berisha

Tuesday’s court ruling effectively ends a two-year battle for control of Albania’s once-mighty Democratic Party. Original post Here

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Albanian, Spanish Police Bust Illegal Scheme to Help Albanians Enter UK

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

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Balkan Prison Overcrowding Worsening – Report

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

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Albania Leader’s New Anti-Corruption Initiative Branded a PR Project

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

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As Palestine Recognitions Grow, Balkan States’ Stances Shaped by Geopolitics

Slovenia has recognised war-ravaged Palestine as independent, but some Balkan countries prefer to stay quiet and follow the United States’ lead – while others recognised Palestinian statehood decades ago while they were under communist rule. Original post Here

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Italy Eyes August Start Date for Albania Asylum Centres

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

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OSCE Questions Efficiency, Quality of Balkan Organised Crime, Graft Trials

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

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Albania’s Former PM Berisha Loses Appeal Against UK Ban

UK court dismisses appeal by opposition leader Sali Berisha to lift sanctions against him for alleged corruption, ruling that the ban was based on sufficient information. Original post Here

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Euro 2024 Becomes Arena for Balkan Nationalist Score-Settling

Matches at Euro 2024 involving Albania, Croatia and Serbia have been marred by nationalist chants and banners that are not uncommon in the Balkans, but were given a bigger stage by the showpiece football tournament. Original post Here

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Anti-Corruption Fight in Balkans Sees Progress, But Also Regression: Report

A new report on the Western Balkans and Turkey by watchdog organisation Transparency International says the progress against corruption made by a number of countries is counter-balanced by backsliding in others. Original post Here