SPAK closes investigations for the 17 defendants for smuggling emigrants toward EU
The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime in Tirana has completed preliminary investigations for criminal proceedings no. 121 of 2021, for the criminal offenses of “Computer Fraud”, to the detriment of several persons, in cooperation in the form of a structured criminal group, “Creation of the structured criminal …
Beleri banned from swearing in as Himara’s mayor
Appeal of the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has not given permission to Fredi Beler to be sworn in as mayor of Himara. Request was reviewed this Monday, where the court decided to dismiss his request to be sworn in before the municipal council. A few days …
Man who kept family locked left for 20 days in prison
Tirana Court has ordered a 20-day prison term for 35-year-old Jetnor Zhaboli, who kept his mother, wife and two minor children locked inside their apartment for months. Prosecutor’s office changed its position, where it initially requested the security measure “arrest in prison” and then requested 30 days. His lawyers asked …
Talat Xhaferi, the first Albanian prime minister of North Macedonia
Talat Xhaferi has been elected prime minister of North Macedonia. Xhaferi is the first Albanian politician to be elected to this post in North Macedonia. 65 MPs voted in favor of the technical government that will be led by Xhaferi. Meanwhile, 3 deputies voted against. Present at the session were …
President Begaj congratulates famous writer on 88th birthday
President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, congratulated the writer Ismail Kadare on his 88th birthday this Sunday. Through a post on social networks, Begaj said that Kadare is a strong and beautiful bridge for Albania to the west. “Long life and health to our great writer, Ismail Kadare! His wonderful …
Librazhd youth arrested after stealing railroad materials
A 22-year-old man was handcuffed in Librazhd this Sunday, after stealing railway materials in the village of Dragostunje in Librazhd. Law enforcement revealed that his 15-year-old brother was prosecuted at large, while a 50-year-old man was declared wanted in connection with this case. In the meantime, the police have seized …
Tirana youth arrested with over 60 cannabis doses
A 27-year-old man was arrested on “Mati Logoreci” street of Tirana during police operation coded “Temple 2”. Verifications found that this citizen provided the narcotic substance in large quantities. After obtaining the cannabis, he divided it into doses, which he sold near the sports field in Lapraka, where are many …
Tirana prosecution seeks prison for man who kept family locked in apartment
Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana has requested the measure of arrest in prison until the release of the medical-legal expertise to determine the mental state of 35-year-old Jetnor Zhaboli, arrested after keeping his family members locked up in an apartment in Tirana. Session for setting the security measure will be held …
Electoral review committee held online after tensions
After being blocked from the pulpit, the meeting of the Electoral Reform Commission is taking place online. The co-chairman of the Electoral Reform Commission, Damian Gjiknuri, said that a broad consultation should be held with all political parties, while he called on the deputies not to obstruct the work but …
Tirana man arrested for domestic violence
Jetnor Zhaboli, 35 years old, a resident of Tirana, was arrested this Thursday by officers of police station No. 1 in the Albanian capital. According to the police, he kept his mother, wife and minor daughter locked in the apartment, every time he left, preventing communication with other people. Furthermore, …
Forty-one environmental organisations from 28 countries have called for a halt to the planned development by Jared Kushner of Albania’s Sazan island as a luxury resort, saying it threatens the valuable biodiversity of the area. Original post Here
Kosovo, Bulgaria and Turkey have signed the Board of Peace Charter, under Donald Trump’s auspices, but several other Balkan countries are still pondering whether to join the initiative. Original post Here
Balkan countries are continuing to sacrifice their remaining clean river stretches to development and pollution, a new assessment warns. Original post Here
The Bulgarian mystic’s doomy predictions continue to grab headlines in Albania and elsewhere – even though many seem fabricated and sometimes appear to serve Russian geopolitical narratives. Original post Here
Tirana, 21.01.2026 – Research on disability has increasingly moved into the centre of international scientific and policy discussions, reflecting broader debates about inclusion, quality of life and access to public space. Against this wider backdrop, the King Salman Center for Disability Research (KSCDR) has opened nominations for the 4th cycle of …
While Albania’s Edi Rama welcomed an invitation to join Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania and Greece merely confirmed that they had received invitations. Original post Here
When the “Choo Choo” Train Never Came It begins with a scene that now feels almost surreal. In 2022, during a staged media event in Tirana, Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku enthusiastically explained to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the Tirana–Durrës–Rinas railway would be completed by 2024. …
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 United States has once again issued an unusually clear and public warning about the threat posed by Albanian organized crime groups and their links to Latin American drug cartels, framing the issue not only as a criminal challenge but as a direct risk to Albania’s national security and economic …
As the new year gets off to a cold start in the region, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories takes a look at the high expectations and sobering realities of what 2026 holds in store. Original post Here