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 …
Democratic Party seal’s issue returned for adjudication by High Court
High Court decided this Wednesday to return for a retrial to the Court of Appeal the issue of who owns the seal of DP Basha or Berisha. After finding irregularities in the process of examining the case, the High Court overturned the appeal decision. “Civil College of the Supreme Court …
Special Court to decide on leaving former PM Berisha under house arrest
Hearing against former Prime Minister Sali Berisha for the approval of the Prosecutor’s Office’s request for “house arrest” for the investigative file on the privatization of the former “Partizani” sports complex will be held this Wednesday, at 11:00. On Tuesday, the session was postponed due to the request of the …
Berisha’s son summoned at Special Court for Gerdec case
Son of Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Shkëlzen Berisha, like his father, will face the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) this Wednesday. Hearing for the Gërdeci case will be held at 09:00 and will be judged by judge Irena Gjoka. GJKKO has called the son of the …
Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …
Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here
Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …
New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. 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, January 26, 2026 – Albania’s attempted entry into the Peace Board has become a revealing episode, not because of the significance of the initiative itself, but because of the way Albania’s leadership chose to stage and communicate it domestically. The Peace Board represents a new and ambitious international …
Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania has joined the Peace Board, a newly established international mechanism initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at overseeing peace agreements and post-conflict stabilization efforts, with an initial focus on the Gaza Strip. The Peace Board was formally launched during the World Economic …
The crisis deepens as the government shields Deputy PM Balluku and a criminal network emerges in AKSHI Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania’s main opposition party returned to the streets on Saturday with a second national protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama, challenging the legitimacy of his fourth term …
Forty-one environmental organisations from 28 countries have called for a halt to the planned development by Jared Kushner of Albania’s Sazan island as a luxury resort, saying it threatens the valuable biodiversity of the area. Original post Here
Kosovo, Bulgaria and Turkey have signed the Board of Peace Charter, under Donald Trump’s auspices, but several other Balkan countries are still pondering whether to join the initiative. Original post Here