Former minister of Health summoned again by Special Prosecution
Former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj, in the investigation for the concession of sterilization of surgical sets, appeared again this Friday morning at 09:00 again to be questioned by the Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK). During the summoning to SPAK,. Beqaj was accompanied by his lawyer. Former minister Ilir Beqaj …
Rezart Taci’s italian collaborators to face Special Court for money laundering
Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has closed the preliminary investigations and has sent three Italians, collaborators of Rezart Taçi, to trial for laundering 18.4 million euros. In the official announcement, it is emphasized that at the end of the preliminary investigations related to this criminal proceeding, it …
Fier man arrested for possession of illegal gun
A 44-year-old man was arrested this Friday morning by the police of Fier for possession of weapons without a permit. According to the police, the 44-year-old was hiding a pistol and ammunition in the apartment. During the checks, the firearm, magazine and its cartridges were seized by the authorities. “As …
Youth arrested for dealing drugs in Shkodra
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Shkodër, after he was caught distributing doses of cannabis around the city. Ymer Duli was caught on “Bujar Bishanaku” boulevard, while driving a “Benz” type vehicle, to distribute doses of the narcotic substance cannabis sativa, in different neighborhoods of the city. Arrest of the …
Man to face Special Prosecution on vote rigging charges
Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has closed the investigations for Gazmend Canaj, accused of the criminal offense of ‘active corruption in elections’, as announced this Thursday. At the end of the investigations, SPAK sent the criminal proceedings against Gazmend Canaj for trial. According to SPAK, Canaj …
Man arrested for sexual intercourse with a 14 year old
A 35-year-old resident of Divjakë has been handcuffed, after allegedly having sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl. A citizen was prosecuted in a free state, as it is suspected that sexual relations were committed with violence. According to the police, a 17-year-old girl reported a 17-year-old citizen after stating that …
Minister: New law on tourism approved
Minister Kumbaro announced this Thursday the approval of the new law on tourism. At the end of the meeting of the council of ministers, Kumbaro said that the 2015 law did not respond to the reality and the new dynamics that tourism suffered last year. “Today, at the first meeting …
Navigating Challenges in Rehabilitating Violent Extremist Inmates: A Multilayered Approach to Prison Reform
By Denion Meidani “Prison continues, on those who are entrusted to it, a work begun elsewhere, which the whole of society pursues on each individual through innumerable mechanisms of discipline.” – Michel Foucault Globally, there is a concerning surge in incarceration rates, with around 12 million individuals currently behind bars. …
Families of 28 dead in 9 Jan 2004 tragedy seek reinvestigation
Family members of the 28 people who died in the tragedy of January 9, 2004 in Karaburun have again requested an investigation into this serious event, also demanding the punishment of those responsible. In a short statement, Ndoc Bjeshka emphasized that it has been 20 years since they took the …
Fier Cocaine dealer arrested
A 30-year-old man was arrested by Fier police after being caught with doses of cocaine that he had prepared to deal. During physical checks and in the apartment, the Police services found and seized from this citizen, a quantity of the narcotic substance cocaine, divided into doses, with the purpose …
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
Critics warn of deepening inequality, impunity and potential money-laundering exposure. Tirana Times, January 16,2025 – Albania’s newly adopted “fiscal peace” package framed by the government as a reset of relations between businesses and the tax authorities, has sparked sharp criticism from economists, business associations, the opposition and international observers. Although …
Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 15, 2026 – Albania’s banking sector enters 2026 with growing caution, as banks operating in the country anticipate an increase in non performing loans despite strong demand for credit. According to the latest CESEE Banking Lending Survey conducted by the European Investment Bank for the second half …
After the US paused visa processing for 75 countries, including Albania, the opposition in Tirana has accused the government of getting the country put on Trump’s “blacklist”. Original post Here