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Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption?

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Albanian Ruling Party Proposes Law Granting Senior Officials Immunity

Proposed legal changes, which would protect ministers and other top officials from suspension by the courts, draw condemnation as a move to block anti-corruption investigations. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 16, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Albania’s AI Minister Diella Sued by Actor Over Image Use

Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …

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Shielding Power from Justice

How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …

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Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect

An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here

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Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci

MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here

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Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’

Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here

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Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …

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Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption

Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …

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National team starts training ahead of Israel and Luxembourg friendlies

TIRANA, June 2 – Albania’s national football team started preparations at the “House of Football” for friendly matches against Israel and Luxembourg. The full squad took part in the opening training session, while Naser Aliji trained separately after completing a recovery session following 90 minutes for his club. The group …

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30th Edition of “Korça Poetry Nights” Festival Concludes Successfully

The city of Korçë has closed the 30th edition of the International Festival of Poets and Authors “Korça Poetry Nights.” The event brought together poets from Albania, the region, and across Europe. Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo described the festival as a celebration of the beauty of words. He said it …

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Dea Open Air film festival opens 13th edition with 40 international productions

TIRANA, June 2 – The 13th edition of the Dea Open Air International Film Festival opened on Sunday. The event will run until June 5 and will showcase 40 films from 25 countries. The festival began with a welcome event in front of the University of Arts. Festival Director Edmond …

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Government sets 2026 priorities for prosecutors

TIRANA, June 2 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu presented the government’s 2026 recommendations on combating crime. He addressed Prosecutor General Olsian Çela, Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Prosecution Office head Klodian Braho and chief prosecutors from across the country. Gogu said the recommendations cover eight areas. They align with the …

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President Begaj meets European Council President Costa

TIRANA, June 2 – President of the Republic Bajram Begaj met President of the European Council Antonio Costa on Tuesday to discuss Albania’s progress in the European Union accession process. During the meeting, the two officials welcomed Albania’s progress in the negotiations process, including the holding of the 8th EU-Albania …

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Prime Minister Rama hosts European Council President Costa in Tirana

TIRANA, June 3 – President of the European Council Antonio Costa arrived in Tirana on Tuesday as part of his diplomatic tour of the Western Balkans. Prime Minister Edi Rama received Costa at the Prime Minister’s Office. The two officials held talks with their respective delegations. Later, Rama and Costa …

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Elbasan Gains Italian Media Attention with Krohn Gastronomic Project

A new gastronomic project in Elbasan is attracting attention from Italian media. The project, called Krohn, focuses on game meat, wild products, and local cuisine closely linked to the territory. The project is located in a rural area near Elbasan, about 30 minutes from Tirana. It aims to combine nature, …

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Ksamil Captivates International Media as One of Europe’s Top Beach Destinations

International travel media outlet The Wom Travel has highlighted Ksamil as one of the most attractive coastal destinations in the Balkans. The publication praised Ksamil for its white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It also described the area as one of the most beautiful spots in the Mediterranean. Ksamil …

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European Council President Costa praises Albania’s European Union progress

TIRANA, June 3 – European Council President Antonio Costa praised Albania’s progress toward European Union membership during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. Costa congratulated Albania for its commitment to the accession process. He also acknowledged Rama’s role in advancing the country’s European agenda. Earlier, …

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Albanian PM Rama with EC President Costa: Implementation of reforms remains key challenge in EU path

TIRANA, June 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama held a joint press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa in Tirana. He said Albania must maintain its pace in the European Union accession process and thanked Costa for continued support to European integration. Rama described Costa as a leader with …

News

National team starts training ahead of Israel and Luxembourg friendlies

TIRANA, June 2 – Albania’s national football team started preparations at the “House of Football” for friendly matches against Israel and Luxembourg. The full squad took part in the opening training session, while Naser Aliji trained separately after completing a recovery session following 90 minutes for his club. The group …

News

30th Edition of “Korça Poetry Nights” Festival Concludes Successfully

The city of Korçë has closed the 30th edition of the International Festival of Poets and Authors “Korça Poetry Nights.” The event brought together poets from Albania, the region, and across Europe. Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo described the festival as a celebration of the beauty of words. He said it …

News

Dea Open Air film festival opens 13th edition with 40 international productions

TIRANA, June 2 – The 13th edition of the Dea Open Air International Film Festival opened on Sunday. The event will run until June 5 and will showcase 40 films from 25 countries. The festival began with a welcome event in front of the University of Arts. Festival Director Edmond …

News

Government sets 2026 priorities for prosecutors

TIRANA, June 2 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu presented the government’s 2026 recommendations on combating crime. He addressed Prosecutor General Olsian Çela, Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Prosecution Office head Klodian Braho and chief prosecutors from across the country. Gogu said the recommendations cover eight areas. They align with the …

News

President Begaj meets European Council President Costa

TIRANA, June 2 – President of the Republic Bajram Begaj met President of the European Council Antonio Costa on Tuesday to discuss Albania’s progress in the European Union accession process. During the meeting, the two officials welcomed Albania’s progress in the negotiations process, including the holding of the 8th EU-Albania …

News

Prime Minister Rama hosts European Council President Costa in Tirana

TIRANA, June 3 – President of the European Council Antonio Costa arrived in Tirana on Tuesday as part of his diplomatic tour of the Western Balkans. Prime Minister Edi Rama received Costa at the Prime Minister’s Office. The two officials held talks with their respective delegations. Later, Rama and Costa …

News

Elbasan Gains Italian Media Attention with Krohn Gastronomic Project

A new gastronomic project in Elbasan is attracting attention from Italian media. The project, called Krohn, focuses on game meat, wild products, and local cuisine closely linked to the territory. The project is located in a rural area near Elbasan, about 30 minutes from Tirana. It aims to combine nature, …

News

Ksamil Captivates International Media as One of Europe’s Top Beach Destinations

International travel media outlet The Wom Travel has highlighted Ksamil as one of the most attractive coastal destinations in the Balkans. The publication praised Ksamil for its white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It also described the area as one of the most beautiful spots in the Mediterranean. Ksamil …

News

European Council President Costa praises Albania’s European Union progress

TIRANA, June 3 – European Council President Antonio Costa praised Albania’s progress toward European Union membership during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. Costa congratulated Albania for its commitment to the accession process. He also acknowledged Rama’s role in advancing the country’s European agenda. Earlier, …

News

Albanian PM Rama with EC President Costa: Implementation of reforms remains key challenge in EU path

TIRANA, June 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama held a joint press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa in Tirana. He said Albania must maintain its pace in the European Union accession process and thanked Costa for continued support to European integration. Rama described Costa as a leader with …