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SPAK seizes assets of businessman Pellumb Gjoka

The Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has seized the assets of businessman Pëllumb Gjoka, who is behind bars as part of the “Metamorfoza” operation. In the announcement of SPAK, there is talk about a number of assets, land in the area of Pulaj-Plazh, Velipojë, which appeared to …

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Fier, three punished for spilling fuel waste into Gjanica river

Three people have been criminally prosecuted for the pollution of the Gjanica river, while the police announce that the three prosecuted, employees of two private companies active in the field of hydrocarbons, threw waste into the river. From the investigations, it turned out that the 2 companies where these citizens …

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Why Saranda’s urban planning official got arrested

Ariel Balani, the official of the Department of Urban Planning of Saranda Municipality was arrested on Thursday evening, by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK). Special Prosecution released official information this Friday regarding the arrest, where it is announced that Balani has committed the criminal offense of “Exercising illegal …

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Former PM Berisha’s son-in-law seeks release from prison

The lawyers of Jamarber Malltezi, the son-in-law of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, will file a request for a change of measure in the Court of Appeal. Malltezi was left in prison on Monday by the Special Court for charges of corruption and money laundering, related to the privatization of …

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Former MP Rrahman Rraja’s nephew caught with drugs

Police have arrested a 22-year-old, identified as Ariel Rraja – the grandson of the former socialist Mp, Rrahman Rraja,  who was caught with narcotics. During the search of his vehicle in Nikël, money and cocaine were found on the young man, which were seized along with the vehicle. This is …

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Rama participates in Konstantinos Mitsotakis bust’s inauguration

Prime Minister Edi Rama participated this Friday in the inauguration of Derviçani square in Dropull, which will bear the name of Konstantinos Mitsotakis. In his speech, Rama said that the bust of Mitsotakis, who was the first Greek prime minister to visit Dropulli, will stand as a symbol of the …

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SPAK reveals the charges against the former director of the Durres Cadastre

“Cleaning money or criminal activity”, “Structured criminal group” and “Criminal offenses within a structured criminal group”, these are the charges brought by the Special Prosecutor’s Office against the former director of the Cadastre in Durres. Rajmonda Dashi has already been arrested. For her, the court has set the measure of …

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Belgian tourists saved after getting blocked in Gjipe canyons

Two Belgian tourists were rescued ths Thursday morning after being trapped in the canyon of Gjipe.  Police received yesterday evening the information that the two tourists, while exploring the Gjipe canyon, were trapped in a very difficult and dangerous terrain, where they could not get out. After five hours of …

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Declared internationally wanted by Switzerland, a 56-year-old man arrested in Morina

A 56-year-old man from Kosovo, declared internationally wanted, was arrested at the border point of Morina as he tried to enter Albania with the aim of extradition to Switzerland. It is learned that the 56-year-old was wanted by the Swiss authorities for fraud, forgery of documents and money laundering. After …

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Vlora man arrested, woman wanted for goods’ smuggling

Police of Vlora attacked this Thursday a case of smuggling of goods, while arresting a 34-year-old man and announcing the search for his accomplice. Law enforcement revealed that the 34-year-old man and the 29-year-old wanted woman were storing contraband goods and hiding the proceeds from their sale. During a search …

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Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

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Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News
Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News
Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News
Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News
Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News
Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News
Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News

Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

News

Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News

Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News

Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News

Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here