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 …
Former PM Berisha didn’t appear at court, what happens now
Session against Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha was interrupted for a few minutes this Monday, although the latter did not appear, but was represented by his two lawyers. Prosecutor Arben Kraja did not appear and was replaced by prosecutor Doloreza Musabelliu, but the reason why Kraja made this decision is …
Rama: Over 8,000 mothers to benefit from social protection program
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared good news on his social media profile this Sunday, stating that over 8,000 female heads of families with three or more children will benefit from social protection programs. “Over 8,000 female heads of families with three or more children aged up to 18 will benefit …
Tried to deceive a businessman, police arrested a 42 year old
A 42-year-old man was arrested in Tirana as part of the coded police operation “Replay 2”. Arjan Ballcaj tried to deceive a businessman, in order to gain 200,000 euros, presenting himself as a high official. As material evidence, 1 vehicle and 1 mobile phone were seized. The operation was carried …
Police plan of measures for Albania-Faroe Islands match
The State Police has published the plan of measures for the international football match between Albania and the Faroe Islands, which will be played on Monday (November 20) at the “Air Albania” Stadium. The plan of measures foresees the tasks that all structures will perform, in order to guarantee order …
Ten arrested in Tirana, for various criminal offences
Specialists for Narcotics Investigation arrested the 29-year-old citizen, after during the physical check and that in the apartment, the Police services found and seized, as material evidence, quantities of suspected narcotic cannabis, two metal shredders and pharmaceutical bags. Crime Investigation Specialists of the Police Station No. 2 arrested the 67-year-old …
Anti-poverty NGO ActionAid has filed a complaint to the Court of Auditors in Italy over the 133 million euro cost of two migrant detention centres in Albania as part of a controversial asylum offshoring deal between Rome and Tirana. Original post Here
By Tirana Times Staff Tirana, 3 December 2025 — The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania today organized in Tirana the central event marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a broad awareness-raising activity that brought together around 250 children with disabilities from several cities across …
In the second of BIRN’s series about women’s wartime activism, Midheta Kaloper explains how she survived sexual violence during the Bosnian war and now helps other survivors to fight for their rights – and bring the perpetrators to justice. Original post Here
By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance have become more pronounced, and in a synthesized way this is reflected in the increasing number of MPs of the ruling party from one mandate to …
As the year draws towards its end, our Balkan Insight Premium stories show that there is no shortage of political surprises, unexpected twists and new standoffs across the region. Original post Here
Albanian-American writer Fron Nahzi’s new book explains how the Albanian diaspora used its newfound freedom in the United States to campaign for a range of nationalist causes. Original post Here
The earthquake that hit Albania in November 2019 left many families homeless. But a rural housing estate built to accommodate some of them remains almost empty due to problems with infrastructure and insecure terrain. Original post Here
O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku faced criminal charges, and after the court suspended her from office and banned her from leaving the country, what one would normally expect is either her immediate resignation or her immediate dismissal by Prime …
The clash between Edi Rama and Shabana Mahmood over the fate of 700 Albanian families in the UK exposes a deeper truth about modern diplomacy: visibility is not the same as influence. When the Home Secretary singled out Albanian families while announcing sweeping asylum reforms, she was not improvising. She …
Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …