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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Tirana man arrested for domestic violence
Jetnor Zhaboli, 35 years old, a resident of Tirana, was arrested this Thursday by officers of police station No. 1 in the Albanian capital. According to the police, he kept his mother, wife and minor daughter locked in the apartment, every time he left, preventing communication with other people. Furthermore, …
The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here
Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here
An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here
The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here
V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …
As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here
The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Democratic Party leader and former President Sali Berisha injured during clashes. Tirana Times, March 22, 2026 — Albania’s latest national opposition protest in Tirana, which ended in violent clashes between protesters and police, exposed not only rising anger against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government but also a broader crisis of …
Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – The United States has moved to dismantle a cyber network linked to Iran’s intelligence apparatus, seizing four domains used for hacking operations, disinformation campaigns and threats, in a case that places Albania at the center of a broader geopolitical confrontation. The U.S. Department of …