SPAK operation, Erzen Brecani appears today before court
The Special Court has postponed by one hour the hearing for the confirmation of the security measure for the four arrested within the SPAK operation related to some interceptions on the Sky application. Journalist Ervin Leka said that the session has been postponed so that the lawyers can familiarize themselves …
Begaj calls for ensuring Albanian Diaspora’s votes
President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj declared this Thursday that the diaspora is an extension of culture and identity of the Albanian state. During his speech at the Third Diaspora Summit, Begaj said that Albanian citizens living abroad should have the right to vote from where they live. “Albania is …
Hasani: Diaspora, irreplaceable role in advancing the national cause
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, stated that the Diaspora has an irreplaceable role in the advancement of the national cause. Hasani gave the statement during his speech at the Third Diaspora Summit in Tirana. According to him, the summit takes place at a moment when we Albanians, more …
Critics say majority has shut opposition out of parliamentary oversight
TIRANA, Nov. 23, 2023 – Albania’s Parliament, controlled by the ruling Socialist Party, approved the 2023 state budget this week in less than two minutes and without any discussion amid chaotic scenes that saw opposition MPs lit up stadium flares and overthrow chairs in an attempt to disrupt the proceedings. …
Rama to NATO: To co-finance the naval base in Porto Romano
Prime Minister Edi Rama delivered his speech during the joint press conference in Skopje, with the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, the President of Croatia, the Prime Minister of Montenegro and the Prime Minister of Slovenia. Rama said that Albania’s request for co-financing …
Fredi Beleri’s trial has been postponed again
Fredi Beleri’s trial has been postponed. Journalist Ermal Vija told for ABC that the witness Abdyl Rama, brother of Arsen Rama, associate of justice, has not been found. Meanwhile, the next session will be held on December 5 at 15:00. /abcnews.al […] Read More… Original post Here
Three teens injured in Saranda car accident
An accident was recorded late on Tuesday evening in Saranda, where three teenagers were injured. Vehicle they were traveling in, went off the road and they ended up in the stream and were immediately transported to the Saranda hospital. On its part, the Police blocked the vehicle, which is suspected …
“Temple” operation, 3 arrested in Tirana
Three people have been arrested following the police anti-drug operation codenamed “Temple”. Bruno Xhaferaj, Agron Mema and Rediol Mekolli, were caught on “Papa John Paul II” street, with 310 doses of cocaine ready for sale. Doses of cocaine were seized together with 5 mobile phones. From the verifications carried out, …
Albania requests Turkey to extradite Dritan Rexhepi
Albania sent this Wednesday a request to Turkey for the extradition of Dritan Rexhepi, who was arrested a week ago in Istanbul. “The Ministry of Justice informs you that today, on 22.11.2023, it forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be sent to the Ministry of Justice of Turkey, …
Names of arrested by SPAK order in Tirana operation revealed
The names of 11 persons for whom a security measure was issued by order of SPAK are released. One of the most wanted is the emir of Ervin Mata, who is thought to be outside Albania. He is accused of being a structured criminal group, drug trafficking and carrying out …
BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here
As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here
Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here
Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here
Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here
In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners. Original post Here
1. The Last Cycle of Extremist Ideologies in the Old Continent – Council of Europe In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the final version of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which contained many useful provisions. However, Article 3(c), which …
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku over the Llogara Tunnel project have pushed Albania’s flagship justice reform into uncharted territory, bringing prosecutors closer than ever to the core of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The Special …
Albania’s smaller parties believe the country’s two main political forces unexpectedly agreed to work together on electoral reform in order to fix the system to maintain their dominance. Original post Here
The Western Balkan countries remain important corridors in Europe for drug and human trafficking and migrant smuggling, says the 2025 Organised Crime Index, produced by an anti-graft NGO. Original post Here