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Killer of Peqin prison, 12 officials to face court after armed murder

Elbasan court has surrounded by numerous police forces this Tuesday morning, about two hours before the hearing on the security measure against Sokol Mjaçaj and 12 Peqin prison employees. According to the sources on the field, Elbasan police officers, the Albanian and Rapid Intervetion Forces teams are guarding the Elbasan …

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Murder in Peqin prison, Sokol Mjacaj before the court: Multiple police forces in the courtroom

The hearing session has begun in the Court of Elbasan against Sokol Mjacaj, who will be recognized with the security measure, after killing Arben Lleshi and injuring Indrit Shaqjan in Peqin prison. Mjacaj arrived at the Court of Elbasan under strict security measures. In the testimony previously given before the …

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“Immunity removal”, Democratic Party submits the draft proposal to the Assembly

Democratic Party has submitted a project proposal to the Assembly, where it requests the removal of the immunity of the deputies. The Secretary for Electoral Reform and the legal representative of Democratic Party, Rezart Kthupi said that the proposal foresees that within five days of the approval, the appropriate procedures …

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Tirana, four call center managers arrested on money laundering charges

Four managers of two call centers in Tirana, where 29 citizens worked, 10 of them unregistered, have been put this Tuesday in handcuffs by the police. During the operation, the officers found and seized 9000 euros, 82 computer units, 23 mobile phones, 1 DVR, 2 USB sticks and 50 cards …

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Kukes area affected by heavy fog, frost

Dense fog and frost have engulfed this Tuesday the national and rural roads of Kukes, which pose a great risk to vehicles.  Reason for this situation is extremely low temperatures and the cessation of snowfall. Even the city of Kukës has been covered by dense fog this morning, creating traffic …

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SPAK prosecutor seeks authorization to arrest former PM Berisha

Prosecutor of SPAK (Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution), Arben Kraja, asked the Council of Immunity and Mandates on Monday for authorization to arrest former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. At the meeting of the Council, Kraja said that there are suspicions about Berisha committing the criminal offense of corruption during the time he …

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Who is man that survived assassination attempt in Shkodra

One person was injured after shooting with firearms in Shkoder this Monday morning. Aleksander Curaj was injured, who is receiving help from the white shirts of Shkodra, while his condition is still unknown. According to the information, the author shot four times at him and left on a bicycle. Meanwhile, …

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Two dead in Arber highway car crash

An accident happened this Monday on Arber’s Highway, where the two people who were traveling in the vehicles passed away. Police revealed that two vehicles collided, as a result of which one of them fell from a height into the abyss. Meanwhile, the investigative group is working to clarify the …

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Shkodra police’s director confirmed in duty by vetting

Edmond Sulaj passed this Monday the vetting process for the position of Director of Shkodra’s Local Police Directorate. Evaluation body chaired by Arben Sefajn, rapporteur Denisa Sina and member Suela Bulkun, after checking the wealth, professional ability and clean image, decided to confirm Sulaj’s position. “We come to the conclusion …

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Rama: Albania is ready to be part of the EU

Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared this Monday that Albania is ready for the EU. He thanked the administration for the work done over the years, stressing that at first he was very distrustful of their work. Thus, Rama emphasized that he felt very proud when colleagues and presidents of …

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Is A Storm Gathering Over Justice in Albania?

By Zef Preçi Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The campaign that Albania’s ruling Socialist Party appears to be preparing against the Special Anti Corruption Structure (SPAK) raises serious concerns not only about the future of the rule of law in the country but also about the credibility of Albania’s …

News
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 9, 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

News
How “Diella” Was Used by the Russian Pravda Network to Spread Disinformation

By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – In early December, a Croatian satirical outlet published a humorous article claiming that Albania’s AI minister had been arrested after allegedly accepting a bribe worth 14 bitcoins. The satire quickly went viral online, but it was subsequently misinterpreted as factual information …

News
The Kurum Case and the Collapse of Environmental Oversight in Albania

Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Kurum waste file has exposed one of the most serious environmental and governance scandals in Albania in recent years, revealing not only the illegal export of hazardous waste but also the disappearance of tens of thousands of tons of industrial byproducts inside the …

News
Russian Propaganda in North Macedonia

by Agron Vrangalla Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – Moscow systematically uses information manipulation as an instrument of foreign policy. In North Macedonia, Russian propaganda relies on several recurring narratives that exploit domestic political tensions and social vulnerabilities. The impact of Russian propaganda in the Western Balkans is neither new …

News
Deputy Prime Minister Resuspended By Court Ruling

Parliament now expected to lift immunity. Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Constitutional Court’s decision to leave in force the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Belinda Balluku has reopened a deep institutional conflict in Albania, sharpening tensions between the executive, the judiciary, and Parliament, while placing …

News
Week in Review: Saviours, Crypto Fugitives and Unlikely Friendships

A Canadian on the run in Bosnia, an Albanian’s controversial jaunt to Israel and a Brit looking to the Balkans for possible salvation – this week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories has an international flavour. Original post Here

News
Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here

News
Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

News
As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here

News

Is A Storm Gathering Over Justice in Albania?

By Zef Preçi Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The campaign that Albania’s ruling Socialist Party appears to be preparing against the Special Anti Corruption Structure (SPAK) raises serious concerns not only about the future of the rule of law in the country but also about the credibility of Albania’s …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 9, 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

News

How “Diella” Was Used by the Russian Pravda Network to Spread Disinformation

By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – In early December, a Croatian satirical outlet published a humorous article claiming that Albania’s AI minister had been arrested after allegedly accepting a bribe worth 14 bitcoins. The satire quickly went viral online, but it was subsequently misinterpreted as factual information …

News

The Kurum Case and the Collapse of Environmental Oversight in Albania

Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Kurum waste file has exposed one of the most serious environmental and governance scandals in Albania in recent years, revealing not only the illegal export of hazardous waste but also the disappearance of tens of thousands of tons of industrial byproducts inside the …

News

Russian Propaganda in North Macedonia

by Agron Vrangalla Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – Moscow systematically uses information manipulation as an instrument of foreign policy. In North Macedonia, Russian propaganda relies on several recurring narratives that exploit domestic political tensions and social vulnerabilities. The impact of Russian propaganda in the Western Balkans is neither new …

News

Deputy Prime Minister Resuspended By Court Ruling

Parliament now expected to lift immunity. Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Constitutional Court’s decision to leave in force the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Belinda Balluku has reopened a deep institutional conflict in Albania, sharpening tensions between the executive, the judiciary, and Parliament, while placing …

News

Week in Review: Saviours, Crypto Fugitives and Unlikely Friendships

A Canadian on the run in Bosnia, an Albanian’s controversial jaunt to Israel and a Brit looking to the Balkans for possible salvation – this week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories has an international flavour. Original post Here

News

Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here

News

Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

News

As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here