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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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Three arrested in Elbasan anti-drug operation

Elbasan police have arrested three citizens as part of the anti-drug operation “Porosia”, as announced this Monday morning. During the operation, about 22 kg of suspected narcotic substance cannabis sativa, 2 shotguns and military ammunition were seized, which were found during the search in the apartment of the wanted citizen …

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15 minors questioned after Korca child’s injuring

Police interrogated 15 minors between the ages of 13 and 15, regarding the wounding of the 14-year-old yesterday in Korça. Based on the available information, the group of those involved was large, the individual criminal responsibility for none of those involved has not yet been determined. Questioning of the minors …

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Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

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

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Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

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As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

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

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Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

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 …

News
Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

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

News
We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

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

News
Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

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 …

News
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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

News
Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

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

News
Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

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 …

News

Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

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

News

Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

News

As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

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

News

Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

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 …

News

Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

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

News

We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

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

News

Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

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 …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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

News

Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

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

News

Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

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 …