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 …
Interior Minister welcomes operation for former police official’s arrest
Interior Minister, Taulant Balla has reacted this Tuesday regarding the action carried out on Monday by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK), where arrest warrants were issued for the former director of Tirana Police and 10 other people, while the son has been declared wanted. Through a post on …
TNT blast recorded in Tirana’s Lapraka area
A blast was recorded this Tuesday morning in a business in Lapraka around 04.50, on “Dritan Hoxha” street. From the preliminary data, there are suspicions that a quantity of explosive material exploded and as a result of the explosion, the windows of a nearby business were damaged. On its part, …
‘Partizani’ file/ Security measure for Berisha remains in force, his son-in-law Jamarber Malltezi is released
The appeal of GJKKO has decided this Tuesday not to change the security measures for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who will have to appear before the prosecutor’s office and will be banned from leaving the country. The court decided for Malltez, the security measure “House arrest”. At the end …
Greek Minister to visit Beleri in prison
Greece’s Minister of State, Stavros Papastavrou, is expected to meet this Tuesday with the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, who is in prison. According to the Greek media, the meeting is expected to take place at noon today in the prison of Durrës, where Beleri has been held for …
Operation in Tirana/ Are revealed the name of 11 arrested. The charges against them
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 …
Opposition warns to block session as parliament convenes to discuss 2024 budget
Albania’s Assembly will convene this Monday, although the opposition has warned that it will block the plenary session again. This plenary session is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. in a marathon session where the 2024 budget will be discussed and approved, while the opposition has opposed this budget. Meanwhile, …
Berisha risks new security measure if he doesn’t appear at SPAK
Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha risks facing a new measure if he again refuses to appear in the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). At 10:00 am, Berisha will have to appear in SPAK, according to the order of GJKKO, in implementation of the court’s decision given on …
Former Minister Beqaj to be questioned by GJKKO for sterilization concession
Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) will hold this Monday the hearing for the questioning of the former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj, who is accused of abuse of office by SPAK in connection with the investigations that were carried out for the sterilization concession medical instruments. Session …
Opposition caused tensions in Assembly, 2024 budget approved in principle
This Monday’s plenary session lasted only 5 minutes, when it was expected to discuss the most important economic bill of the year, “Budget Project 2024”. The opposition MPs gathered the chairs in the lectern again, while they physically clashed with some of the Guard employees. While opposing the deployment of …
By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …
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