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 …
Minister: New law on tourism approved
Minister Kumbaro announced this Thursday the approval of the new law on tourism. At the end of the meeting of the council of ministers, Kumbaro said that the 2015 law did not respond to the reality and the new dynamics that tourism suffered last year. “Today, at the first meeting …
Navigating Challenges in Rehabilitating Violent Extremist Inmates: A Multilayered Approach to Prison Reform
By Denion Meidani “Prison continues, on those who are entrusted to it, a work begun elsewhere, which the whole of society pursues on each individual through innumerable mechanisms of discipline.” – Michel Foucault Globally, there is a concerning surge in incarceration rates, with around 12 million individuals currently behind bars. …
Families of 28 dead in 9 Jan 2004 tragedy seek reinvestigation
Family members of the 28 people who died in the tragedy of January 9, 2004 in Karaburun have again requested an investigation into this serious event, also demanding the punishment of those responsible. In a short statement, Ndoc Bjeshka emphasized that it has been 20 years since they took the …
Fier Cocaine dealer arrested
A 30-year-old man was arrested by Fier police after being caught with doses of cocaine that he had prepared to deal. During physical checks and in the apartment, the Police services found and seized from this citizen, a quantity of the narcotic substance cocaine, divided into doses, with the purpose …
Operations against organized crimes, Balla: 30 arrested in 24 hours
The Minister of the Interior, Taulant Balla, has reacted regarding security in the country. Through a status on Facebook, Balla states that only during the last 24 hours, 30 citizens from different cities in the country have been arrested and prosecuted. “30 citizens arrested/processed during the last 24 hours in …
The murder of the young man in Vlora, the perpetrator is suspected to be a contract killer
New details have been revealed from the execution of the 23-year-old in Vlora. Journalist Elton Nika told ABC News that Gezim Sinomati was allegedly shot from the back seat of the car at a distance of about 34-40 meters. The 23-year-old was shot by a sniper from a “BMW” type …
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
Protest against the government on the anniversary of the fall of dictator Enver Hoxha’s statue Tirana Times, February 21, 2026 – The national opposition protest held in Tirana on 20 February 2026 marked a new and more volatile phase in Albania’s political confrontation, as long-standing institutional disputes spilled decisively into …
PM Rama urges Trump to act on The Hague court and Kosovo leaders. Tirana Times, February 20 2026 – Albania has confirmed it will contribute troops and police personnel to the international stabilization mission in Gaza under the newly created Peace Board, an initiative announced by U.S. President Donald Trump …
Balkan and Turkish leaders lauded the Board of Peace at its Washington launch on Thursday – while the participation of an EU Commissioner from Croatia drew criticism from some EU states about her presence. Original post Here
Proposed legal amendments preventing courts from suspending senior officials would be a major blow to progress on tackling corruption – and to Albania’s EU accession process, writes legal expert Gentian Serjani. Original post Here
Digital spaces are the new frontlines for challenging entrenched political and economic interests, but the backlash against civic groups trying to expose corruption and environmental destruction or demand official accountability can be fierce. Original post Here
Proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code following the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku trigger opposition backlash, institutional tension, and renewed concerns over judicial independence and EU accession. Tirana Times, February 16 2026 – The Albanian government has launched an urgent legislative initiative to amend the Criminal Procedure …