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Families of 28 dead in 9 Jan 2004 tragedy seek reinvestigation

Family members of the 28 people who died in the tragedy of January 9, 2004 in Karaburun have again requested an investigation into this serious event, also demanding the punishment of those responsible. In a short statement, Ndoc Bjeshka emphasized that it has been 20 years since they took the …

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Fier Cocaine dealer arrested

A 30-year-old man was arrested by Fier police after being caught with doses of cocaine that he had prepared to deal. During physical checks and in the apartment, the Police services found and seized from this citizen, a quantity of the narcotic substance cocaine, divided into doses, with the purpose …

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Operations against organized crimes, Balla: 30 arrested in 24 hours

The Minister of the Interior, Taulant Balla, has reacted regarding security in the country. Through a status on Facebook, Balla states that only during the last 24 hours, 30 citizens from different cities in the country have been arrested and prosecuted. “30 citizens arrested/processed during the last 24 hours in …

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The murder of the young man in Vlora, the perpetrator is suspected to be a contract killer

New details have been revealed from the execution of the 23-year-old in Vlora. Journalist Elton Nika told ABC News that Gezim Sinomati was allegedly shot from the back seat of the car at a distance of about 34-40 meters. The 23-year-old was shot by a sniper from a “BMW” type …

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Robbery, drugs and accidents, 12 arrested in Tirana

At least 12 citizens have been arrested for various criminal offences. According to the Tirana Police, narcotics were found in vehicles during checks carried out on the main roads. Several people have also been arrested for robbery. So the procedural materials were passed to the Prosecutor’s Office at the Court …

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Who are 5 arrested for beating three Albanians in Montenegro

Names of 3 of the 5 arrested in Montenegro for violence against 3 Albanians have been revealed this Monday. According to the Montenegrin Police, the arrested are Branko Vuksanovic, Sergej Devic and Kosto DunCerovic. All these people live in Zelenika, exactly in the neighborhood where the incident happened. Based on …

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Infrastructure Minister releases report of 2023, what’s expected in 2024

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, made this Monday the balance of the year 2023, while she said that important infrastructure works are expected to be completed during this year. During a conference, Minister Balluku listed the Llogara Tunnel, the Thumanë-Kashar axis as well as …

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Ten accompanied to police after Vlora sniper assassination

Ten people have been accompanied to the police of Vlora until this Monday morning in connection with the incident that happened on Sunday evening around 10:00 p.m. where a 23-year-old man was killed. A single bullet to the head is believed to have taken his life.  Sources from the police …

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Shkodra man arrested for planting explosives, injury

A 28-year-old man, identified as Seadet Muftija, has been arrested by the Police in Shkodër, as informed this Monday. He is suspected of being involved in serious criminal offences. According to the police, the 28-year-old is a suspect for destruction of property with explosives, destruction of property with strong tools, …

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Killer of Vlora sniper assassination’s unidentified, burned vehicle found

Perpetrator of yesterday evening’s assassination in Vlora, where 23-year-old Gëzim Sinomataj was killed, is still unaccounted for. Police announce that the Eagle, Operational, Delta, and National Security Forces are in pursuit of the perpetrators of the incident where the 23-year-old citizen was shot dead. Perpetrators allegedly abandoned the “BMW” type …

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Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

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BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

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Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News
NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

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Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

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Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

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Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

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Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News
The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

News

Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

News

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News

NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

News

Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

News

Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

News

Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News

Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …