Wanted for murder, Elmir Tufa appears in court
Elmir Tufa, one of the suspected perpetrators of the murder of Shkëlzen Kastrati on February 1, 2021, has just arrived at the Fier court in the Sheqit Madh roundabout in Fier. Verification of the security measure against Tufa is expected this Sunday. Elmir Tufa was arrested this Thursday. He was …
Operation ‘Temple’, eight arrested by Tirana police
Eight people have been arrested by the Tirana police in the continuation of the coded operation “Temple”. According to the police, these people were caught selling drugs in doses near night clubs in the capital. Kol Braçi, Orgito Idrizi, Helson Gjabri, Arjan Domi, Endrit Kotorri, Elvi Zani and two minors …
Renown director passes away at 81
The well-known director, Vladimir Prifti, passed away this Sunday at the age of 81. Through a post on social networks, the Minister of Culture, Elva Margariti, declared that Albanian cinematography lost another great figure. Prifti is the director of some of the films such as “The Way of Letters”, “Who …
Analysis: Corruption probe involving former prime minister seen as litmus test for Albania’s new justice system
TIRANA, Nov. 2, 2023 – Albania’s former prime minister, Sali Berisha, is being investigated for “passive corruption” by Albania’s Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), with a specialized court ruling that he cannot leave the country and must present himself to court authorities twice a month. The same …
Bank of Albania increases key interest rate, again, aiming to tackle inflation
TIRANA, Nov. 2, 2023 – Albania’s central bank supervisory council has announced another hike in Bank of Albania’s key interest rate, up by 0.25 percentage points, bringing it to a rate of 3.25 percent. Inflation has seen a declining trend in 2023, but it is still higher than what the …
Elez Biberaj announces retirement from VoA after 43 years of service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2023 – Elez Biberaj, the prominent Albanian-American journalist, is retiring after an illustrious 43-year career at the Voice of America (VoA), according to a message he sent to colleagues. He will continue serving as the VoA Director of the Eurasia Division until the end of year. VoA …
New investigation offers proof Russians owned shell company that paid for Basha’s 2017 lobbying in Washington
TIRANA, Nov. 2, 2023 – A new investigation published Thursday by Finance Uncovered in cooperation with the BBC has offered proof that Russians were behind the company that paid for lobbying in Washington that led to a brief meeting and a photo of Lulzim Basha, serving as leader of the …
Albert Rakipi and the College of Europe: The bold idea that brought EU’s venerable institution to Albania
How a think-tanker’s vision, backed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, secured the College of Europe’s presence in Tirana. TIRANA, Oct. 26, 2023 – More than a year ago, Albert Rakipi, a prominent figure in Albania’s international relations and think tank circles, contemplated a pressing question. With the European Union …
Albania’s removal from FATF money laundering gray list met with optimism
TIRANA, Oct. 29 – Albania’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list of countries grappling with money laundering deficiencies has garnered cautious optimism, with financial experts emphasizing the need for continued vigilance. The decision, made by FATF, an intergovernmental organization created through a G7 initiative, has …
Two drug dealers arrested in Lezha, Mirdita
Lezha Police has cracked down on two more cases of selling narcotics, in doses, in Lezha and Mirdita, as informed this Sunday. In the city of Lezha, Salvator Luka, a resident of Pukë, while in Mirdita, Ndue Rregji, was arrested. During this operation, two citizens were handcuffed and 68 doses …
By Nikola Kedhi On paper, Albania enters 2026 as a “success story”: the government speaks of GDP growth around 4%, low inflation, public debt at roughly 53% of GDP, and presents the 2026 Budget as a continuation of stability.In reality, Albania is an economy structurally dependent on construction where extraordinarily large …
Albania‘s High Prosecution Council chooses Klodian Braho as new head of the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime – a body with the tough task of tackling high-level graft. Original post Here
Environmentalist Ardian Koci was awarded the 2025 EuroNatur Award for his campaigning conservation work in Albania – but he had already left the country after being fired by the Environment Ministry for speaking his mind. Original post Here
By Tirana Times Tirana Times, December 10,2025. 10KSA arrived in Tirana through a special awareness-raising event organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking the first introduction in Albania of one of the world’s most recognized global initiatives for preventive health and community empowerment. Deputy Ambassador Ahmed …
SPAK could move toward a harsher measure against the suspended deputy prime minister, including a request for house arrest or detention. Tirana Times – December 9, 2025 The suspension from office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku has pushed Albania into one of the …
Judges Association claims that Edi Rama’s attacks on court decision to suspend Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku over legal allegations are designed to undermine faith in the Albanian judiciary. Original post Here
By Genc Pollo On the Commissioner’s satisfaction The statement by Mrs. Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, that the general elections in Albania this May were free and fair, but we welcome suggestions for their improvement” rightly caused surprise, irritation and was condemned by the opposition. Fortunately, on Monday the …
Saudi Arabia and the Rise of a New Human-Centered Diplomacy When National Transformation Becomes a Global Movement for Life There are moments when an initiative that begins as a simple community project transforms into a global movement. Moments when awareness campaigns cross the boundaries of public messaging and become part …
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 …