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Linking ownership of shell companies to fugitives, SPAK seizes Tirana’s waste incinerator, setting stage for more corruption charges 

TIRANA, Aug. 8, 2023 – Special Prosecution Office Against Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK) has ordered the seizure of the company operating the Tirana waste incinerator, following similar earlier action in Elbasan and Fier.  The move marks a significant development in one of Albania’s largest corruption cases ever and could …

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Përparim Kalo stands out as key contender in race for leadership of High Judicial Council 

Përparim Kalo TIRANA, Aug. 8, 2023 – The race for membership and leadership of Albania’s High Judicial Council (KLGj) and the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP) has unveiled 23 candidates who are vying to join these crucial institutions overseeing judges and prosecutors.  Among the names of the competitors, one stands out …

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The first plane expected to land in 2025, Rama shares Vlora Airport

Prime Minister Edi Rama started the day by posting on his social network “Facebook” pictures of the works being done at the new International Airport of Vlora. The works are being carried out at a high pace and the entire runway track has already taken shape. According to the prime …

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The conflicts between two men, the 46-year-old died of head injury, a 26-year-old is arrested

A 26-year-old has been arrested by police in Rinas. Henri Gjalpi, 26 years old, a resident of Tirana, was declared wanted, after the Court of First Instance of the General Jurisdiction of Tirana, has assigned the security measure “Arrest in prison” for the criminal offense of “Manslaughter”. Therefore, we recall …

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Bus owner arrested over undeclared money at the border

This Monday morning, 121,680 undeclared euros were seized at the Port of Durres. The money was found hidden in the roof of the bus, of the “Durres-Bari-Durres” line. For this reason, the owner of the bus, Leonard Nikolli, was arrested in the act, while the driver was released. The authorities …

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Man fails bank robbery, arrested by police

The tentative of a young man to rob a bank this early Monday in the capital of Albania, Tirana failed, as police caught him before he touch the money.  The arrested is a 23-year-old was later identified as Enrik Ismalaj, who tried to rob a bank near Unaza e Re …

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Three army officers arrested for abuse of duty

The Criminal Court has arrested 3 army officers in Zall Herr. The hearing session took place behind closed doors, while it is known that the suspects have not admitted the authorship of the criminal offense. They have emphasized that 140 hectares of land is impossible to control all of them. …

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The elections of May 14 are certified, is sealed the total victory of the socialists

The result of May 14 are certified from the Central Election Commission, this Monday. Across the country, 53 municipalities are leaded by socialists, only 7 by the opposition coalition, Berisha-Meta and Finic Municipality, by Rometo Çakuli, of the Greek minority. Hegla Vukaj, proposed by the opposition in the Commission, did …

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Clash between two people in Vlora, a 55-year-old man lost his life

A serious incident happened at noon today in the city of Vlora. As a result of a fight between two people, the citizen, Armando Meto, about 55 years old, died. According to footage provided by ABC News, the conflict took place between the premises of a bar near the Court …

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Trapped by the collapse of the terrace in Durres, one dead

Two people were pulled out from under the ruins of the collapsed terrace in Qerret. It is learned that one of them died, while another was transported to the hospital. The incident took place a few minutes ago, while the police, ambulance and fire brigade are at the scene and …

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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

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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