Two youth arrested, another wanted for trafficking drugs from US via post
Two people have been arrested and a third has been declared wanted after it was discovered that they were trafficking cannabis sattiva narcotics from the USA to Albania using the postal service. Police announced that as a result of the operation, 5 kg of cannabis sativa, with a high percentage …
Elbasan youth arrested after punching, threatening to stab man
A 26-year-old man was arrested after a conflict over trivial motives with a person in the “Haxhias” neighborhood of Elbasan. Police revealed that the young man punched a 63-year-old man and threatened to stab him with a knife. As a result of the quick intervention, carried out as part of …
Man prosecuted for trying to bribe Kakavija border officer
A 40-year-old man has been criminally prosecuted this Sunday after trying to bribe the border police officer in Kakavija. According to the authorities, he offered a 20 EUR bill to the employee to enter Albania without registering. Criminal proceedings started because the 40-year-old tried to bribe the Kakavije PKK Border …
Senior citizen dies in Tirana’s criminal court
A citizen lost his life this Friday in the Criminal Court of Tirana. It is learned that the elderly man was in the court premises where he felt bad and passed away. From the preliminary data, there are doubts that he died as a result of a house arrest. After …
Former minister of Health summoned again by Special Prosecution
Former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj, in the investigation for the concession of sterilization of surgical sets, appeared again this Friday morning at 09:00 again to be questioned by the Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK). During the summoning to SPAK,. Beqaj was accompanied by his lawyer. Former minister Ilir Beqaj …
Rezart Taci’s italian collaborators to face Special Court for money laundering
Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has closed the preliminary investigations and has sent three Italians, collaborators of Rezart Taçi, to trial for laundering 18.4 million euros. In the official announcement, it is emphasized that at the end of the preliminary investigations related to this criminal proceeding, it …
Fier man arrested for possession of illegal gun
A 44-year-old man was arrested this Friday morning by the police of Fier for possession of weapons without a permit. According to the police, the 44-year-old was hiding a pistol and ammunition in the apartment. During the checks, the firearm, magazine and its cartridges were seized by the authorities. “As …
Youth arrested for dealing drugs in Shkodra
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Shkodër, after he was caught distributing doses of cannabis around the city. Ymer Duli was caught on “Bujar Bishanaku” boulevard, while driving a “Benz” type vehicle, to distribute doses of the narcotic substance cannabis sativa, in different neighborhoods of the city. Arrest of the …
Man to face Special Prosecution on vote rigging charges
Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has closed the investigations for Gazmend Canaj, accused of the criminal offense of ‘active corruption in elections’, as announced this Thursday. At the end of the investigations, SPAK sent the criminal proceedings against Gazmend Canaj for trial. According to SPAK, Canaj …
Man arrested for sexual intercourse with a 14 year old
A 35-year-old resident of Divjakë has been handcuffed, after allegedly having sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl. A citizen was prosecuted in a free state, as it is suspected that sexual relations were committed with violence. According to the police, a 17-year-old girl reported a 17-year-old citizen after stating that …
After months of defending his deputy and Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku, who faces allegations of manipulating public tenders, Edi Rama finally dismissed her on Thursday night. Original post Here
From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here
Tirana Times, February 26, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama carried out one of the deepest cabinet reshuffles of his fourth term, replacing officials across several of the most powerful ministries in a move that comes as his government faces rising scrutiny, swelling scandal pressure and an intensifying anti-corruption push …
As Milorad Dodik comes in from the cold, Albanians impress on Trump that they have an enemy in common. Original post Here
Tirana Times, February 25 2026 – Domestic governance gaps are the primary entry points through which foreign actors can generate corrosive outcomes in strategic sectors. The Bankers Petroleum illustrates how this happens: when fiscal terms are unclear, cost verification is weak and enforcement is irregular, revenue disputes can last for …
Croatian’s premier paid a visit to Kyiv alongside other EU leaders, while most Balkan leaders voiced strong support for Ukraine’s self-defence on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s military assault. Original post Here
As Defence Minister talks defence sector collaboration with Israel, President Milanovic reminds government that last year he ordered an end to all cooperation with the Israeli army, citing its ‘unacceptable behaviour’. Original post Here
Albania’s huge agricultural sector is seeking to expand into European markets to flourish – but issues over old-fashioned methods, low productivity, banned pesticides and corruption stand in the way. 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
Are you living in a hotspot destination? Struggling with rising rent in a popular neighbourhood or frustrated by the disruption caused by tourists? Tell us your story. Original post Here