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Tirana, three arrested for dealing cannabis

Three people were arrested this Monday morning, during the coded police operation “Combination”. Kledi Avdiaj, Luan Çupi, Marjan Nikolli were handcuffed after selling cannabis in different areas of Kamza. During the search in the apartment of Marjan Nikolli, the police services found 3 kg and 100 grams of suspected narcotic …

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Two punished for fishing with electrical tools in Shkodra lake

Two people have been criminally prosecuted after they were caught fishing with tools that produce electric current in the lake of Shkodra. Checks were carried out in the village of Kamicë, where the two persons were fishing with mechanisms, which are prohibited due to the danger they pose. Following the …

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Ardi Veliu resigns as the leader of the Police Supervision Agency

Ardi Veliu has resigned from the leadership of the Police Supervision Agency (AMP). ABC News journalist Ervin Leka reports that a meeting was held at AMP, where Veliu announced his withdrawal from the position of leader. Veliu submitted his resignation to the Minister of the Interior, Taulant Balla, this Monday …

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Former P.M Berisha under investigation/ Bardhi: I support equality before the law

Gazment Bardhi has reacted for the first time after GJKKO assigned former Prime Minister Sali Berisha the security measure “Compulsion to appear”, regarding the privatization of the former sports complex, “Partizani”. In a press conference from the Assembly, Bardhi said that he supports equality before the law. Although for him, …

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Vlora girl abused by three people ended up in hospital’s reanimation

A 26-year-old girl, who was drugged and sexually abused by three people, is in intensive care at the Vlora hospital. The girl is in a stable but psychologically serious condition. She was found on the street by the police, who sent her to the hospital in serious condition. On their part, …

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Police forces arrive at Berisha’s villa after the court’s decision

The police have landed in Lalez, in the villa of Jamarber Malltez, the son-in-law of the former prime minister Sali Berisha. ABC News reporter Ervin Leka reports that the arrival of the representatives of the Directorate of Investigation and Economic Crime comes after the decision of the Special Court for …

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Tirana marathon, several roads blocked

This Sunday the Tirana Marathon takes place, which will host more than 4,000 participants not only from Albania, but also from foreign countries. In order to organize and run the largest sports activity that takes place in the country, the Municipality of Tirana, in cooperation with the State Police, has …

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SPAK reveals charges against Berisha, Malltezi

The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has revealed the official charges against former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, his son-in-law Jamarber Malltezi and the builder Fatmir Bektashi. It is learned that Berisha is accused of passive corruption carried out in collaboration according to article 260 and 25 of …

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Arbëresh language soon in all schools of Calabria, Begaj: Together, we are all stronger

President Bajram Begaj, on the second day of his visit to Cosenza in Calabria, also stopped at “Spezzano Albanese”, where he was received by the Arber community and the local authorities. To welcome the head of state, Albanian citizens who fled the country in recent years arrived in Calabrian Arberia …

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SPAK discloses Berisha’s involvement in ‘Partizani Complex’ affair

The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) in Tirana has officially published the charges against former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, his son-in-law Jamarbër Malltezi and builder Fatmir Bektashi, in connection with the privatization of the former Partizani complex. In the announcement of SPAK, it is stated that …

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Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

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Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News
Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

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Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

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Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

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Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

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One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …

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“Wherever I travel, Greece wounds me.”

Ὅπου κι ἂν ταξιδέψω, ἡ Ἑλλάδα μὲ πληγώνει. Jerina Zaloshnja This is what Giorgos Seferis wrote — and thus, before I even truly knew who Seferis was, I began to love Greece. That verse — simple, clear, ablaze with love and pain — was, for me, once a gateway to …

News
Digital Rights Review: AI-Driven Violations Go Unchecked in South-East Europe

Across south-east Europe last month, BIRN’s digital rights monitors documented how AI is being used for protest surveillance, election manipulation, enabling digital sexual abuse and committing fraud, sparking calls for urgent action. Original post Here

News
Forum of Alumni from Saudi Universities in the Balkans

Saudi Ambassador  Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, Highlights Kingdom’s Commitment to Global Educational Ties through Balkan Alumni Gathering Tirana Times Sunday, July 6, 2025,  The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, announced that on Monday, July 7, Tirana will …

News

Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News

Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

News

Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

News

Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

News

Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

News

One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …

News

“Wherever I travel, Greece wounds me.”

Ὅπου κι ἂν ταξιδέψω, ἡ Ἑλλάδα μὲ πληγώνει. Jerina Zaloshnja This is what Giorgos Seferis wrote — and thus, before I even truly knew who Seferis was, I began to love Greece. That verse — simple, clear, ablaze with love and pain — was, for me, once a gateway to …

News

Digital Rights Review: AI-Driven Violations Go Unchecked in South-East Europe

Across south-east Europe last month, BIRN’s digital rights monitors documented how AI is being used for protest surveillance, election manipulation, enabling digital sexual abuse and committing fraud, sparking calls for urgent action. Original post Here

News

Forum of Alumni from Saudi Universities in the Balkans

Saudi Ambassador  Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, Highlights Kingdom’s Commitment to Global Educational Ties through Balkan Alumni Gathering Tirana Times Sunday, July 6, 2025,  The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, announced that on Monday, July 7, Tirana will …