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, …
Fier, illegal immigrants smuggler arrested
A 31-year-old resident of Fier was arrested by the police after, in cooperation with three other citizens, they were transporting illegal immigrants for money. This action was carried out following the national mega-operation “Rule of Law”, where it was discovered after a hit case on January 4. The 31-year-old man …
The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here
The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here
Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …
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