EU talks, Foreign Affairs Minister warns of ‘good news’ in 2024
Minister for Foreign Europe, Igli Hasani, underlined this Thursday the achievements of Albanian diplomacy for 2023 and the priorities for the next year. In a press conference, he said that they expect good news at the beginning of 2024 as far as negotiations with the EU are concerned. Furthermore, the …
Former mayor of Bulqiza sentenced to prison for abuse of duty
The Special Court found the former mayor of Bulqiza, Lefter Alla, guilty and sentenced to 2 years in prison. The former mayor of Bulqiza, Lefter Alla, and 8 other people were found guilty by the Special Court, on charges of abuse of office, violation of equality in tenders and forgery. …
Rama introduces AI public servant of E-Albania
Prime Minister Edi Rama presented this Thursday the Public Servant of Artificial Intelligence, which is the virtual assistant 1.0 of every citizen in e-Albania. During the presentation, the Head of Government revealed that the “servant” will be at the service of every citizen at every hour and for every application. …
Former PM Berisha expected to be sentenced to house arrest by Special Court
Special Court is expected to decide this Thursday on the request of the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) to review the security measure “house arrest” for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. Just a day ago, the Anticorruption Court could not comment on the proposal of SPAK that …
Former-PM son’s call to SPAK after questioning by Special Court
Son of Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Shkelzen Berisha spoke this Wednesday after leaving the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), where he was questioned regarding the Gerdeci case. In his media statement, Shkelzen Berisha declared that he has no idea who sent the fax with the inscription …
Chief of Drenova prison’s guard arrested after Peqin murder
Internal Control Service of Prisons arrested this Wednesday the Chief of Police of the prison of Drenova, Mariglen Kadiu. According to the local media, his arrest is related to the recent events in Peqin prison, where Sokol Mjacaj killed Arben Lleshi with a gun and injured Indrit Shaqjan. Kadiu is …
Democratic Party seal’s issue returned for adjudication by High Court
High Court decided this Wednesday to return for a retrial to the Court of Appeal the issue of who owns the seal of DP Basha or Berisha. After finding irregularities in the process of examining the case, the High Court overturned the appeal decision. “Civil College of the Supreme Court …
Special Court to decide on leaving former PM Berisha under house arrest
Hearing against former Prime Minister Sali Berisha for the approval of the Prosecutor’s Office’s request for “house arrest” for the investigative file on the privatization of the former “Partizani” sports complex will be held this Wednesday, at 11:00. On Tuesday, the session was postponed due to the request of the …
Berisha’s son summoned at Special Court for Gerdec case
Son of Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Shkëlzen Berisha, like his father, will face the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) this Wednesday. Hearing for the Gërdeci case will be held at 09:00 and will be judged by judge Irena Gjoka. GJKKO has called the son of the …
Special Court to impose arrest measure in former PM Berisha
Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) will decide this Thursday the measure of arrest for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. Special Prosecution (SPAK) sent a request to the court to replace the mandatory security measure with house arrest. Request was filed on Friday, and judge Irena Gjoka is …
The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here
By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …
By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …
BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here
As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here
Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here
Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here
Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here
In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners. Original post Here
1. The Last Cycle of Extremist Ideologies in the Old Continent – Council of Europe In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the final version of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which contained many useful provisions. However, Article 3(c), which …