Anti-Disinformation Commission/ Çuçi: It is not a control, but if there is a violation of the law
The chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, Bledi Çuçi, has stated that the commission against disinformation is not a control, but to see if there is a violation of the law. Asked by journalists, he said that all other Western countries and the European Parliament have set …
Deadly crash near Albanian-Greek border puts spotlight on Balkan irregular migration route
TIRANA, April 2, 2024 – Eight people died in the early hours of Tuesday in southern Albania, near the Greek border, as an Albanian driver speed up and fell into a ravine trying to avoid a police checkpoint because he was carrying seven non-European irregular migrants across Albania on their …
Tragic accident, the car with immigrants falls on the side of Vjosa, 8 victims
8 people lost their lives, the Shkodran driver of the ‘Benz’ vehicle and 7 clandestine people, as a result of a serious accident on the Këlcyre-Përmet road axis. Sokol Ismeti, the driver of the Benz, tried to escape from the police and lost control, falling on the side of the …
Today, 15 years since NATO membership
The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, delivered today a message for the 15th anniversary of Albania’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. We recall that on April 1, 2009, Albania became a full member of NATO. The full message of the President of the Republic: “April 1, 2009 …
The murder of an 18-year old boy, 4 detained by the police
Four people have been detained in connection with the serious incident that took place in Tirana, where 18-year-old Aurelio Dervishi was the victim. The four arrested persons are suspected of being perpetrators involved in the incident. According to police information, among those arrested is the perpetrator who allegedly stabbed the …
Arrested for drug trafficking, SPAK seizes property of relatives Gezim Cela
SPAK seizes 17 assets on behalf of Gezim Çela’s family members. Apartments worth over 400,000 euros, bank accounts and several cars were seized. Gezim Çela, also known as the drug lord, was arrested during an operation in Kosovo. Property of the type “Commercial Unit”, with an area of 237 m2, …
SPAK sent to trial former Minister Beqaj and 8 others
The Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK) closed investigations over sterilization concession. This prosecution sent to trial this Saturday former minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj and eight others accused for abuze. Beqaj is accused for duty abuse done in collaboration. While vice minister Klodian Rrjepaj and the businessman are accused for …
A 19 year old arrested for smuggling emigrants
A 19-year-old resident of Podgorica was arrested by the Shkodra police after trying to cross five illegal immigrants to the border. According to the police, Tajson Boneshta was caught red-handed in the city of Shkodra while he was transporting immigrants from third countries with the “Volkswagen Polo” type vehicle. The …
A 41-year old declared wanted by police, is arrested in Fier
A 41-year-old wanted man has ended up in police custody. It is learned that the citizen Asllan Koraj, a resident of Fier, was sentenced to 3 years in prison, for the criminal offenses “Concealment of income” and “Non-payment of taxes and duties”. Meanwhile, the procedural materials were passed to the …
Four arrested for mobile sports betting
Four people have been arrested by the Tirana police after exercising the illegal activity of mobile sports betting. The arrested are 29, 31, 32 and 35 years old. They were found in a bar in Vaqarr, on their mobile phones, the police services found pages and links that served for …
Tough European Commission report takes Serbian democratic backsliding to task – while saying Montenegro will probably be the first among the current candidate countries to join the EU. Original post Here
By Zef Preçi The recent decision of Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption (SPAK) to formally indict Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku on charges related to abuse of office and corruption has sent shockwaves through the political establishment. Balluku widely regarded as the government’s second-in-command and …
Delays and drug shortages in the public healthcare system force hundreds of Albanian women every year to seek expensive, private treatment for breast cancer. Original post Here
MTV is shutting down its European music video channels, which were once symbols of freedom for many young people in the Balkans and the former Eastern Bloc. Lida Hujic had a front-row seat when the channel was at its peak. Original post Here
Tirana, October 31, 2025 Former Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the reformist leader who transformed the country’s Communist Party into a modern European-style Socialist Party and who steered Albania through several of its most turbulent post-communist years, has died at the age of 73. Nano a figure at once admired, …
Tirana November 3,2025 The Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of Erion Veliaj, annulling the government’s decision to dismiss him from office and invalidating President Bajram Begaj’s decree for early elections in Tirana. With a 5–3 vote, the Court decided that Veliaj who has been in pre-trial detention for nine …
Country’s top court rules in favour of ousted Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj regarding his dismissal – also cancelling fresh elections for a replacement for Veliaj, who is facing corruption charges. Original post Here
— Article by the Chinese Ambassador to Albania, Pang Chunxue On 25 October 1971, at the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly, Resolution 2758 was adopted by an overwhelming majority, restoring all the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations and recognizing the representatives …
In her new book based on her travels in Albania, Black American academic Chelsi West Ohueri looks at how people in the country see race and ethnicity – and the racial divides between Albanians and the marginalised Roma minority. 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