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Three arrested after breaking and stealing several houses

Three people have been handcuffed by Durrës police as perpetrators of several thefts, as announced this Wednesday morning. Law enforcement revealed that the arrested, aged 26, 32 and 55, acted as a group and kept watch on the homes of businessmen and citizens with public functions, so that they could …

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Three minors punished for extorting citizens by offering sex

Three minors aged 16-17 years old were prosecuted this Wednesday by the authorities after police operation coded “Meeting”. According to the police, they created accounts with falsified data of different citizens, and through posts on these profiles, sexual favors were promised against various payments. Administrators of these profiles asked the …

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About 330 cannabis plants destroyed in Kruja, growers unidentified

State Police have finalized this Wednesday the 40th phase of the coded operation “Clean Territory”. Durig this action, the officers destroyed 328 narcotic cannabis plants that were found cultivated in various villages of the Kruja highlands were destroyed. Nevertheless, the police located the drug after drone controls in the Kruja …

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N. Macedonian man caught trying to pass through Durres port with fake passport

A 45-year-old man from North Macedonia was arrested this Tuesday in the port of Durrës after trying to cross with a fake passport. This citizen tried to leave Albania and avoid the authorities, using a passport with the likeness of a citizen from Serbia, with a criminal record. After verifications …

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Kurbin police’s chief arrested for helping in drug boss’s illegal transport

Head of Kurbin’s police station, Dritan Metaj that got arrested a day ago at request of Special Prosecution and Organized Crime (SPAK), turns out to have had an important role in the criminal group of drug trafficking in Fushë Kuqe. Local media reported that Metaj performed the role of transporting …

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Albanian ex-fighter of KLA released from prison after war crimes charges

Former fighter of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Dritan Goxhaj, arrested a few months ago in Tirana, has been released from prison. Court of Appeal opposed this Tuesday the decision of the First Instance, taken on September 19, for the extradition of the former fighter of the Liberation Army to …

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Armed clash over property dispute prevented in Shkodra

A conflict over property reasons between two families, in which 4 people were involved, has been prevented this Tuesday by the police of Shkodra. A 53-year-old man was arrested, while his son was declared wanted. From the investigations so far, it is suspected that the 53-year-old man and his 27-year-old …

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Tirana, young man arrested on drug charges

A 28-year-old man has been handcuffed this Tuesday by the police in Tirana in the framework of “Tempulli” operation, bringing the number of those arrested to 97. His arrest was made possible on “Vangjush Furxhi” street after the court ordered “Arrest in prison” for “Production and sale of narcotics”. Previously, …

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Man arrested in Tirana for embezzling money through fraud

A 54-year-old man has been arrested this Tuesday in Tirana, during the police operation coded “Mandati”. Police revealed that this citizen through fraud, by presenting suspected forged documents, has appropriated different sums of money from different businessmen. Documents were seized as material evidence, which the 54-year-old used for the fraud …

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Dead body found in Velipoja shore

A dead body was found Monday morning on the coast of Rrjolli in Velipoja. According to the police, the body belongs to a 70-year-old man from Tirana, who went fishing yesterday with his friends. From the investigations, it is suspected that this citizen died as a result of cardiac arrest. …

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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

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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