Albanian Businessman ‘Bankrolling Fugitive Ex-Deputy PM’, Prosecutors Claim
Albanian prosecutors believe businessman Ilir Dedja could be financing the comfortable life in Swiss exile of fugitive former deputy prime minister Arben Ahmetaj, who is wanted on corruption charges. Original post Here
Albania Upholds Ethnic Greek Mayor-Elect’s Vote-Buying Conviction
An appeals court confirmed the conviction for vote-buying of Fredi Beleri, mayor-elect of Himara, whose case has caused a diplomatic row between Tirana and Athens – potentially barring him from Albanian domestic political life for two decades. Original post Here
With court recognition of Berisha-led DP, main opposition party shows signs of unity
TIRANA, June 25, 2024 – Ending years of turmoil, a court has placed Albania’s main opposition Democratic Party officially under the control of the faction that has the most support among voters. The decision means the state-recognized seal and funding will now shift from the minority faction led by Lulzim …
Eight doctors accused for abuse of power, the court gives the decisions
The Court of Tirana has set the security measure of “house arrest” and “compulsion to appear” for some doctors and employees of the Oncology Department at the University Hospital Center in Tirana for abuse of duty. According to the investigations, these people, who were employed at the state hospital “Mother …
A Turkish citizen arrested in Kapshtica, is expected his extradition to Instanbul
A 50-year-old man from Turkey, sentenced to over ten years in prison for the production and sale of narcotics, was arrested at the border crossing point in Kapshtica. He was arrested at the entrance to Albania and arrested by the Narcotics Investigation Section of DVP Korçë, with the aim of …
SPAK has requested two years in prison for the elected mayor of Himara
The Court of Special Appeal will give the decision on Tuesday at 13:00 for the elected mayor of the Municipality of Himara, Fredi Beleri. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that the Appeal will be heard in connection with the announcement of the decision. Fredi Beleri and Pandeli Kokaveshi plead …
Graft Probe Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Defence Minister
Defence Minister Niko Peleshi was part of a trip to Italy in 2013 that Albanian special prosecutors say was paid for by two now fugitive businessmen right before they clinched a lucrative solar power contract. Original post Here
More than 5 thousand cannabis seedlings and plants were destroyed, 2 arrested and one wanted
About 5396 cannabis seedlings and plants were destroyed in Lezhë, Elbasan and Shkodër as part of the police operation coded “Clean Territory”. In the forest of Gëziq village in Mirditë, 500 cannabis seedlings were found in cubes. 35-year-old Maringlen Gjeta was arrested and his brother was declared wanted. For this …
Three arrested in Morina for smuggling, an police officers part of the investigation
Three people were handcuffed at the border crossing point in Morina, as they were suspected of smuggling (vehicle parts) from Kosovo to Albania. According to the police, this group carried out the transportation of vehicles by bus and sold them in Albania, while it was also arrested and a customs …
A 38 year old declared wanted by Italy, arrested in Tirana
A 38-year-old wanted by Italian justice was arrested in Tirana, as part of the coded police operation “Wanted 3”. Altianado Feimi was put in handcuffs after being declared an international wanted, after the Court of Genoa, Italy, has assigned the security measure “Arrest in prison”, for the criminal offenses “Criminal …
Tirana Times, March 26 , 2026 – The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has awarded its prestigious annual “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize for 2025 to historian and translator Ilir Ikonomi, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing major works of international scholarship to the Albanian audience. Ilir Ikonomi received the award …
From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read. Original post Here
The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here
Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here
An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here
The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here
V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …
As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here
The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here