Next hearing on former PM Berisha’s arrest to be held
Next hearing regarding the measure of arrest against former Prime Minister Sali Berisha is expected to be held this Saturday, at 12:00. In Thursday’s session, judge Irena Gjoka argued that the postponement of the decision was made to give time to the lawyers to familiarize themselves with the evidence. On …
Librazhd, man dies in car accident
A 57-year-old man from Librazhd area passed away in a road accident, as reported this Friday. Police informed that he lost control of the car he was driving and as a result he lost his life. In the meantime, the investigative group has started investigations to solve the circumstances of …
High court’s head launches work balance sheet of 2023
Head of the High Court, Sokol Sadushi summarized this Friday the achievements for 2023, emphasizing that the number of backlog cases has been decreasing. In a media conference, Sadushi underlined that after examining the backlog cases accumulated throughout 2018-2019, there will be no cases that exceed reasonable trial terms. Speaking …
Fier man arrested after punching two citizens in bar
A 53-year-old man from Fier broke the “house arrest” security measure and then got involved in a physical fight inside a bar. Police announced Friday that he allegedly punched two other people. On its part, the investigative group has carried out all the verifications, while the 53-year-old man has been …
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 …
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
Saudi Arabia welcomes Washington’s decision and reaffirms joint stance against extremism Tirana Times, January, 14, 2026 – The United States has officially designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist organizations, marking a major shift in Washington’s approach toward political Islamist movements. The announcement immediately drew …
Albania included among weak or failing states despite being a NATO member Tirana, Tirana Times, 14 January 2026 – Washington’s decision to suspend U.S. visa processing for Albania, effective January 21 and for an indefinite period, marks one of the strongest diplomatic signals sent to Tirana in years. Albania has …
In the Western Balkans, “security” is rarely an abstract concept. It is encountered as a lived condition, shaped by memory, geography and a persistent awareness that stability can erode when trust is thin. Security, in this context, is not discussed only in strategic documents or institutional language, but reasoned through …
Albania’s government is poised to waive business tax debts more than a decade old, as part of what it says is a reset in relations between the tax authorities and businesses. Critics say it is unfair on those who have played by the rules. 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