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Tirana adult caught in possession of firearm

Aurel Lazaj, 37-year-old has been handcuffed the Tirana Police this Friday, after he was caught with firearms and ammunition in a bar. During the coded operation “Surprise”, the firearm and ammunition were seized. In the meantime, the procedural materials were passed to the Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of First …

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New details on reportedly burned little girl revealed

New details have been learned from the event published the day before, where it was reported about a 2-year-old admitted to the Pediatrics of the State Medical University, with burn marks on her body. It is known that the minor girl was taken to the hospital by her aunt because …

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Lushnja woman sentenced for rape detained

Police of Lushnja has arrested this Friday the wanted 30-year-old Borana Faslliu, after she was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison, for the criminal offense of “Sexual relationship with violence, with adults”. Court of Appeal has sentenced the 30-year-old woman to 3 years and 4 months in …

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Special Court hearing on notorious Laert Haxhiu postponed

Hearing on Laert Haxhiu, accused of the double murder in Lushnja in 2017, where Jurgen Hoxha and Zamir Latifi lost their lives, while Xjulio Shkurti escaped the assassination, has been postponed this Friday. Special Court scheduled the next session on December 1 to give time to the appointed lawyer to …

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Durres, a 50 year old crashed to death by careless driver

A fatal accident happened this Friday morning in the city of Durrës, on the ring road of Shkozet.  According to the police, a vehicle, which was driven by a 32-year-old man, hit a 50 year old to death while riding a bicycle. On his part, driver of the vehicle was …

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“Temple” operation, a 27-year old is arrested

A 27-year-old man was captured by the police as part of the operation coded “Temple”. It is reported that the 27-year-old was declared wanted after the Court of First Instance of the General Jurisdiction of Tirana has assigned the security measure “Arrest in prison” for the criminal offense “Production and …

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Man found dead inside car in Fier

A 39-year-old man from Tirana was found without signs of life in Fier, in the village of Daullas. From the actions so far, it is suspected that the 39-year-old committed suicide with a firearm. Police services immediately went to the scene, where they found a pistol and a cartridge case. …

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Ilir Panda, elected deputy president of the Supreme Court

The general meeting of judges of the Supreme Court held this Thursday the procedure for the election of the Deputy President of this Court. Referring to the requirements of Article 26, point 3 of Law no. 98/2016 “On the organization of judicial power in the Republic of Albania” as well …

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Man arrested for dealing drugs near Saranda school

A 44-year-old man was arrested by the police on Thursday morning, after he was caught selling narcotics near schools in Saranda. During the control carried out against the 44-year-old, the Police services found quantities of suspected narcotic cannabis, divided into about 63 doses, ready for sale. From the verifications carried …

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Human remains found in Saranda identified

Adnant Jaupi is the 53-year-old from Elbasan whose body was found decomposed in Xarrë village, Konispol municipality. The 53-year-old from Elbasan worked as a shepherd in Xarre, while he had been missing for about 2-3 months. His family members were also interested in this. From the investigation, there are no …

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From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

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Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

News
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

News
Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News
Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

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Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

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Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

News
Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

News
One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …

News

From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

News

Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News

Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

News

Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

News

Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

News

Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

News

One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …