Two Rinas officers arrested on corruption charges
Police Supervision Agency (PSA) has arrested two employees at the Rinas Police Station this Wednesday. According to the police, the two cops are suspected of being involved in ‘Passive corruption of persons exercising public functions’, carried out in collaboration. Detained policemen are: – Inspector, Ardit Doçi, 31 years old, with …
SPAK seeks seizure of man involved in prosecutor’ assassination attempt
Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has requested this Wednesday the confiscation of the assets of Redjan Rraja, involved in former prosecutor Arjan Ndoja’s assassination attempt. It is about nine assets, including two “Audi-A8” luxury vehicles. SPAK has requested the confiscation of all assets in his name or …
In depth: Balkan countries play Russian roulette with mosquitoes
Headache, fever and muscle aches. A fellow citizen had the feeling that a cold was bothering his body. He was almost certain that the seasonal flu had taken over when he felt nauseous, but he expected to get over it. The usual days for the common cold have passed and …
SPAK asks the Assembly for authorization for “house arrest” for Sali Berisha
SPAK has requested authorization from the Assembly to change the security measure for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. It has been learned that SPAK has submitted a letter to the Parliament of Albania, where it also requests the change of the measure, to ‘house arrest’. “Until now, there is no …
Significant amount of drugs seized in Vlora
Vlora’police conducted an anti-drug operation during the night hours. In connection with this operation, several people were also accompanied. Police sources confirmed to ABC News that a quantity of narcotics and a van were seized. It is expected that the police will come out with an official announcement about the …
Balla-Wisner discusses war on narcotics trafficking
Albania’s Interior Minister, Taulant Balla held a meeting with the US Charge d’Affaires in Tirana, David Wisner. During the meeting, Balla and Wisner discussed the partnership and cooperation between Albania and the United States of America in the field of law enforcement, focusing on the fight against organized crime and …
Seven arrested as 500 kg of drugs get busted in Vlora
A criminal cannabis trafficking group has been destroyed in Vlora, after an anti-drug operation carried out during the night until the early hours of the morning. According to the sources, about 500 kilograms of cannabis were seized and seven people were arrested. Two vans and two vehicles were seized during …
Korca judge left to four years in prison for corruption
Special Court of Appeal has upheld the sentence of 4 years and 6 months in prison for Mimoza Margjeka, the judge of the Korçë Appeal, for the charge of “corruption”. On December 15 of last year, the Court gave this measure of punishment, which was suspended and converted into 3 …
Balla vows for inter-institution coop to prevent violence
Interior Minister Taulant Balla said this Tuesday that there will be absolutely no lack of cooperation between institutions to prevent incidents of violence that can lead to tragedies. During his speech from the conference on the protection of “victims of crime”, where the international cross-sectoral strategy 2024-2023 is being presented, …
Rama: About ten million foreign tourists visited Albania in 2023
During 2023, Albania has welcomed 9.54 million foreign visitors, Prime Minister Edi Rama informed this Monday, adding that only during the month of November, 547 thousand foreign tourists visited Albania. In a social media statement, PM Rama emphasized that these are proofs that Albania is being visited in every season …
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku over the Llogara Tunnel project have pushed Albania’s flagship justice reform into uncharted territory, bringing prosecutors closer than ever to the core of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The Special …
Albania’s smaller parties believe the country’s two main political forces unexpectedly agreed to work together on electoral reform in order to fix the system to maintain their dominance. Original post Here
The Western Balkan countries remain important corridors in Europe for drug and human trafficking and migrant smuggling, says the 2025 Organised Crime Index, produced by an anti-graft NGO. 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
Tirana Times sat with the Head of the Taipei Representative office in Italy, Ambassador Vincent Tsao on his recent visit to Albania to talk about cooperation and exchange in technology, development, education and more… Your Excellency, Taiwan is known globally for its advanced technology and innovation sectors. What specific areas …
Online disinformation from opponents of the new gender equality law shouldn’t obscure the real issue: this vital legislation has been adopted by parliament, but now we need it to work in practice, not just on paper. Original post Here
Women’s rights groups hailed adoption of the new equality law as a historic move – while the opposition Democratic Party and ‘pro-family’ groups called it an attack on traditional values. Original post Here
A leaked file, apparently from an anti-corruption prosecutors’ probe, suggests deputy prime minister Belinda Balluku played an active role in predetermining the winner of a major construction tender. Original post Here
Tirana Times | November 5, 2025 Berlin/Tirana – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has downplayed growing Western fears of a possible Russian expansion of aggression in Europe, declaring that Moscow would “not attack Albania or any other European country” and that NATO remains fully capable of deterring any threat. In …
By Tirana Times November 5, 2025 Albania’s draft budget for 2026 marks a significant milestone in the country’s defense modernization and strategic alignment with NATO objectives. The government has announced a €100 million increase in defense funding, raising total expenditures to €589 million or approximately 2.1% of GDP surpassing the …