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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Ex-head of Durres cadastre arrested by SPAK
The former director of the Durres Cadastre, Rajmonda Dashi, is arrested. The arrest was made this Thursday by SPAK order. Journalist Leonidha Musaj reports that the operation was carried out in the state cadastre offices of Vora and Kamza, where recently Dashi also held the position of manager. The escort …
Court session on Former PM Berisha postponed
Court session for the former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, in the Special Court, regarding the accusations against him for passive corruption, for the privatization of the former sports complex, “Partizani”, has been postponed this Thursday to 15:00. Two lawyers assigned by the state to defend Berisha, Jalldiz Kastrati and Rabije …
During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here
The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here
The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here
Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here
Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …