Blog
News

One arrested, eight prosecuted for various offenses in Northern Albania

One person was arrested and 8 others were prosecuted without being detained for various criminal offences, the police anounced this Friday morning. Authorities revealed that the arrested person is charged with the criminal offense of “Theft of electricity”, after an illegal connection of electricity was found in his business in …

Read More
News

Anti-drug operation/ 90 arrested in Tirana, among them 5 women, one pregnant

The number of people arrested in the district of Tirana from the anti-drug operation codenamed “Tempulli” that took place throughout the country reaches 90. Journalist Xhensila Kodra reports that those arrested are part of 7 groups that were involved in the distribution of cocaine, heroin and cannabis in the capital. …

Read More
News

President Begaj hosts bulgarian counterpart in meeting

President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj has received this Friday the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova. During the meeting, President Begaj appreciated the very good cooperation between the two countries, in a year that coincides with the 110th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania …

Read More
News

Basha led Democratic Party known as main opposition force by electoral college

Electoral College has overturned the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the Complaints and Sanctions Commission (CSS), recognizing the Democratic Party (DP) led by Lulzim Basha, not the “Together We Win” coalition, as main opposition force. After this decision, Basha will receive more members of Commissions of Electoral Administration Zones (KZAZ) …

Read More
News

Mega operation, Balla: The beginning of the engagement against the production, trafficking and distribution of drugs

The Minister of the Interior, Taulant Balla, spoke about the anti-drug mega-operation coded “Tempulli”, spread throughout the country, with over 200 arrested. In a joint press conference with the Director General of the State Police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku, Balla said that this operation marks only the beginning of a new journey …

Read More
News

An apartment in Tirana engulfed in flames

An apartment on the 9th floor of a building was engulfed in flames. The incident took place on “Sali Butka” street in the capital, around 2:20 p.m. According to previous information, it is learned that the fire broke out on the balcony of the apartment, on the top floor of …

Read More
News

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 …

Read More
News

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 …

Read More
News

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 …

Read More
News

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 …

Read More
News
Pay Delays Deepen Concern over Albanian Public Broadcaster’s Finances

Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here

News
China Index: Beijing’s Influence Waning in Balkans – Except Bosnia

The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. 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

Pay Delays Deepen Concern over Albanian Public Broadcaster’s Finances

Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here

News

China Index: Beijing’s Influence Waning in Balkans – Except Bosnia

The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. 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