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Berisha risks new security measure if he doesn’t appear at SPAK

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha risks facing a new measure if he again refuses to appear in the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). At 10:00 am, Berisha will have to appear in SPAK, according to the order of GJKKO, in implementation of the court’s decision given on …

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Former Minister Beqaj to be questioned by GJKKO for sterilization concession

Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) will hold this Monday the hearing for the questioning of the former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj, who is accused of abuse of office by SPAK in connection with the investigations that were carried out for the sterilization concession medical instruments. Session …

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Opposition caused tensions in Assembly, 2024 budget approved in principle

This Monday’s plenary session lasted only 5 minutes, when it was expected to discuss the most important economic bill of the year, “Budget Project 2024”. The opposition MPs gathered the chairs in the lectern again, while they physically clashed with some of the Guard employees. While opposing the deployment of …

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Former PM Berisha didn’t appear at court, what happens now

Session against Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha was interrupted for a few minutes this Monday, although the latter did not appear, but was represented by his two lawyers. Prosecutor Arben Kraja did not appear and was replaced by prosecutor Doloreza Musabelliu, but the reason why Kraja made this decision is …

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Rama: Over 8,000 mothers to benefit from social protection program

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared good news on his social media profile this Sunday, stating that over 8,000 female heads of families with three or more children will benefit from social protection programs. “Over 8,000 female heads of families with three or more children aged up to 18 will benefit …

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Tried to deceive a businessman, police arrested a 42 year old

A 42-year-old man was arrested in Tirana as part of the coded police operation “Replay 2”. Arjan Ballcaj tried to deceive a businessman, in order to gain 200,000 euros, presenting himself as a high official. As material evidence, 1 vehicle and 1 mobile phone were seized. The operation was carried …

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Police plan of measures for Albania-Faroe Islands match

The State Police has published the plan of measures for the international football match between Albania and the Faroe Islands, which will be played on Monday (November 20) at the “Air Albania” Stadium. The plan of measures foresees the tasks that all structures will perform, in order to guarantee order …

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Ten arrested in Tirana, for various criminal offences

Specialists for Narcotics Investigation arrested the 29-year-old citizen, after during the physical check and that in the apartment, the Police services found and seized, as material evidence, quantities of suspected narcotic cannabis, two metal shredders and pharmaceutical bags. Crime Investigation Specialists of the Police Station No. 2 arrested the 67-year-old …

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Mayor Veliaj’s congratulatory message on Tirana’s 79th Liberation Anniversary

Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, issued this Friday the 79th anniversary of the liberation of Albanian capital. Through a reaction on Facebook, Veliaj said that Tirana is now more beautiful and united than ever, making everyone feel proud. “Happy 79th anniversary of liberation, our Tirana! We honor and respect the …

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Four minors to face court after killing of a 15 year old

Prosecution of Elbasan has completed the investigations and has sent this Friday for adjudication the four minors who are accused of murdering the 15-year-old in Gramsh. Four minors with the initials E.K., S.M., O.Ç. and Xh.Ç. is accused of the criminal offense “Murder in other qualifying circumstances”, committed in cooperation …

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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

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 …

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 …