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The agreement for immigrants/ Constitutional Court continues the review after the lawsuit filed by the opposition

The Constitutional Court continues on Monday the next session related to the review of the agreement for immigrants with Italy, which the opposition describes as unconstitutional. Journalist Erneta Shevroja reported that the opposition wants the Constitutional Court to turn to the human rights court for an opinion. “Today’s session is …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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Albania’s AI Minister Diella Sued by Actor Over Image Use

Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …

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Shielding Power from Justice

How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …

News
Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect

An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here

News
Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci

MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here

News
Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’

Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here

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Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …

News
Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption

Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …

News
Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania

Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here

News
Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending

As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here

News
Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe

In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here

News

Albania’s AI Minister Diella Sued by Actor Over Image Use

Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …

News

Shielding Power from Justice

How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …

News

Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect

An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here

News

Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci

MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here

News

Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’

Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here

News

Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …

News

Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption

Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …

News

Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania

Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here

News

Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending

As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here

News

Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe

In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here