Mayor Veliaj’s statement as Tirana prepares for halloween
Atmosphere on the eve of the Halloween holiday is already more tangible for all the fans, adults and children. In the framework of this day, the Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj shared this Sunday morning pictures from “ZooParkTirana” on social networks. “GOOD MORNING. From ZooParkTirana, which was buzzing with kids …
Begaj congratulates counterpart Erdogan on Turkey’s National Day
President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj sent this Sunday a congratulatory telegram on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey to the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In his telegram, President Begaj expressed full confidence in the excellent future …
Two arrested for possession of weed, cannabis seeds in Gjirokastra
Police of Gjirokastra have handcuffed two citizens, who kept narcotic substances and seeds in their apartment, with the intention of selling them. The arrested are Elis Ballaxhia and Daniel Hazizaj, 35 and 25 years old, both residents of Gjirokastra. During checks, the officers seized 236 grams of cocaine, 253 cannabis …
Seized assets, Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime appeal rejects former deputy PM’s request
The appeal of GJKKO (Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime) rejected the request of the former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj for the appeal made for the seized property. Arben Ahmetaj’s lawyers appealed a few months ago in the GJKKO Appeal against SPAK’s (Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized …
German MP: Immunity of MPs may be suspended by law authorities
The German MP, Gunther Krichbaum, has commented on the recent decisions of the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), where the former Prime Minister Sali Berisha is under the “compulsion to appear” measure, while his son-in-law is behind bars for the issue of the privatization of the “Partizani” …
‘Temple’ operation, another man arrested for drug trafficking
A 31-year-old man was arrested by the police after being wanted for drug trafficking. As part of the police operation “Temple”, the citizen Aneo Gashi fell behind bars. “A 31-year-old wanted as part of this mega-operation is located, captured and imprisoned. As a result of intensive investigative and procedural actions, …
SPAK seizes assets of businessman Pellumb Gjoka
The Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has seized the assets of businessman Pëllumb Gjoka, who is behind bars as part of the “Metamorfoza” operation. In the announcement of SPAK, there is talk about a number of assets, land in the area of Pulaj-Plazh, Velipojë, which appeared to …
Fier, three punished for spilling fuel waste into Gjanica river
Three people have been criminally prosecuted for the pollution of the Gjanica river, while the police announce that the three prosecuted, employees of two private companies active in the field of hydrocarbons, threw waste into the river. From the investigations, it turned out that the 2 companies where these citizens …
Why Saranda’s urban planning official got arrested
Ariel Balani, the official of the Department of Urban Planning of Saranda Municipality was arrested on Thursday evening, by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK). Special Prosecution released official information this Friday regarding the arrest, where it is announced that Balani has committed the criminal offense of “Exercising illegal …
Former PM Berisha’s son-in-law seeks release from prison
The lawyers of Jamarber Malltezi, the son-in-law of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, will file a request for a change of measure in the Court of Appeal. Malltezi was left in prison on Monday by the Special Court for charges of corruption and money laundering, related to the privatization of …
From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here
In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here
Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here
Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …
Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here
June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …
By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania 20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here
by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …