Kruje, man arrested for drug cultivation, plants seized
A 53-year-old man was arrested in Kruja as part of the police operation codenamed “Plant 3”. The citizen Bujar Muka cultivated cannabis narcotic plants in the village of Mukje. During the control in several wooded premises of the village of Mukje. Police services found and seized as material evidence, 65 …
Two arrested for trying to sell stolen euros in Europian banks
Two people have been arrested in Shijak after trying to sell on the market an amount of euros (with security ink) stolen in banks of EU countries. Taulant Demerxhiu, 33 years old, and Vladimir Kokomani, 43 years old, were taken into custody. The police announce that 80,000 euros were found …
Backlog reduction tool / Wisner to the court: Your work is fantastic, you need to take tougher steps
The US embassy’s chargé d’affaires, David Wisner, praised the work done with the justice reform but added that it is necessary to take more difficult steps. As the new national strategy for backlog cases in the courts is being presented, Winser said that more cooperation between the government and institutions …
New national strategy/Backlog cases in courts, Manja: KLJ, government of independent justice
The Minister of Justice, Ulsi Manja, says that the new strategy presented by the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (HCJ) for the backlogged cases in the courts, is a strategy that brings institutions together in order to judge pending cases for citizens. During his speech at the activity organized by …
SPAK sends for trial the former mayor of the Municipality of Patos, Rajmonda Balili and 6 other officials
The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has sent for trial the former mayor of Patos and 6 other officials, accused of violating equality in tenders. From SPAK’s investigations, it turns out that the former mayor and the members of the bid evaluation committee in cooperation between them have favored contrary to …
Illegal migration, Foreign UK Secretary Cameron, to visit Albania
Lord David Cameron will visit Tirana on May 22. The British Foreign Secretary will hold meetings with Prime Minister Rama, President Begaj and Foreign Minister Hasani, to discuss cooperation relations between the two countries. The focus will again be on stopping illegal immigration, almost two years after reaching the agreement …
Mayor Veliaj meets the Albanian community in Japan
The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, concluded his visit to Japan with a meeting with the Albanian community in Tokyo. While publishing photos from the meeting, Mayor Veliaj underlines the key role played by the Albanian community there in strengthening the connection between the two countries. “At the end of …
Seven criminal groups attacked by SPAK, 12 murders discovered
Seven criminal groups were part of the Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK) in Albania. During the investigation, SPAK informed that was destroyed the criminal activity in some cities of the country. Before the court are 12 people arrested within the SPAK operation. The lawyers have asked for time to familiarize …
Operation by SPAK, a businessman arrested in Shkodra
Abc News learns that the businessman from Velipoja, Mir Bruli, was arrested during the SPAK operation. Initially, there are suspicions that the Shkodran businessman is involved in various criminal activities. Mir Bruli is the owner of several hotel businesses in the Velipoja area. He is known as a relative of …
Durrës/ Aleks Marku is sentenced to prison for holding two children hostage
40-year-old Aleks Marku was sentenced to prison. Aleks Marku is charged with three criminal offences, possession of weapons without a permit, disruption of public peace and destruction of property. The 40-year-old was arrested after the intervention of the RENEA forces, after holding two minor children hostage in an apartment in …
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here
Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …
Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here
Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …
Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here