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Over 110 arrest warrants issued in huge Tirana anti-drugs operation

An anti-drug operation is being carried out by the Tirana police, the Anti-Drug sector, under the direction of the capital’s prosecutor’s office, to target drug dealers. According to the local media, so far a total of 112 arrest warrants have been issued, while more than 70 people have been escorted …

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Inmate dies due to cardiorespiratory arrest in Tirana’s hospital

A convict died in hospital this Thursday from cardiorespiratory arrest. It is learned that 62-year-old Islam Binjaku, sentenced to 10 years in prison for drugs, was in intensive care since August 31. Forensic experts and the police are following the legal procedures. Forensic experts, as well as SHKBB judicial police …

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Mega drugs operation leads to over 200 arrests Albania-wide

A major national anti-drug operation has been carried out by land and air in Tirana and all of Albania this Thursday, leading to over 200 arrests. Local media reported that the helicopters also flew over the terraces of the buildings in Tirana, while dozens of “strong” houses in the neighborhoods …

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DNA reference laboratory inaugurated for fight on crime

Interior Minister, Taulant Balla and the Minister of Immigration in the United Kingdom, Robert Jenrick participated in the opening ceremony of the DNA Reference Laboratory at the Scientific Police Institute, which will help in the fight against organized crime in Albania, but also in the United Kingdom. Genetic profiles of …

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Elbasan incinerator session postponed due to defendants’ absence

Postponement of the court session for the Elbasan incinerator has been decided again this Thursday. Based on the information at hand, the court has decided that the hearing will take place on September 21 at 09:30. According to the information, the reason for the postponement of the session was the …

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Government reshuffles voted in parliament

The Assembly of Albania voted today in the plenary session for the appointment of two new ministers, Ervin Mete and Delina Ibrahimaj. Ervin Mete was appointed head of Finance and Economy with 74 votes in favor and 30 against. Meanwhile, Delina Ibrahimaj was dismissed with 105 votes in favor from …

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Elbasan policeman among arrested in huge drugs operation

An anti-drug operation, for which the investigation started months ago, has been extended to several cities in the country, this Thursday including Elbasan. According to the Elbasan Police, among those arrested in Elbasan is also a police officer, Saimir Hysa. He was aware of the criminal activity and is charged …

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Census of Population and Housing/ Rama: An important process, it will be done according to European standards

The Population and Housing Census is expected to start on September 18. Prime Minister Edi Rama, present at the opening conference, emphasized that this is an important initiative. While describing it as an ‘exercise’ difficult to carry out, the head of the government said that it will be done according …

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Rama: Albania, advanced European legislation for minorities

Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking about the new population and housing census, said that he is proud of the fact that our country has integrated minorities. He emphasized that Albania has the most advanced European legislation regarding minorities and that no one can lecture him on this matter. “I am very …

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Soreca considers Albania’s census as ‘important to EU path’

Chargé d’affaires of the diplomatic corps of the EU in Albania, former ambassador Luigi Soreca, declared this Wednesday to the media that he feels privileged to have returned to the country. During the conference together with the head of the government, about the census and registration of housing, Soreca said …

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Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

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BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

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Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News
NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

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Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

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Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

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Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News
Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News
The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

News

Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

News

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News

NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

News

Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

News

Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

News

Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News

Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …