President Begaj to attent Brdo Brijuni process summit in N.Macedonia
President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, will depart this Sunday for North Macedonia, to participate in the Summit of the Heads of States in the Brdo Brijuni Process. Leaders at this summit will adopt a joint statement, where they will highlight regional challenges and priorities, especially in terms of European …
Tirana, youth arrested for holding 17-year-old girl hostage
A 23-year-old man from Durrës was arrested by Tirana police this Sunday after he held a hostage and abused a 17-year-old girl. According to the police, this citizen had deprived him of his freedom for several hours, as well as abused the 17-year-old. Investigative actions found that the 23-year-old man …
Peqin brothers caught possessing arsenal of weapons
Two brothers have been put in handcuffs this Sunday by the Police of Elbasan, as they are accused of having an arsenal of weapons. During the checks, 1 Kalashnikov, 1 pistol, 1 revolver, 1 shotgun and ammunition for them were found hidden in four bags. According to the police, the …
Two shooters fired at 41-year-old victim during Vlora execution
New details have been learned regarding the event that happened on Saturday evening in the city of Vlora, where 41-year-old Leartiad Keka (Lekaj) was executed. From the expertise, it is learned that the wounds were caused by two different weapons. The Kalashnikov was found in the burned vehicle, where three …
Ex-minister seeks questioning of 90 witnesses for Gerdec case
Former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu requested this Friday in the Special Court the questioning of 90 witnesses on account of the process against him in this court for the Gërdec explosion, as a result of which 26 people passed away. Among them are senior defense officials of DASH and …
“Golden Bullet”, the court leaves in prison lawyer Alban Bengasi, paid 120 thousand euros for the murder of his ex-wife
The court has given the security measure “prison arrest” for the lawyer, Alban Bengasi. The session for the lawyer Alban Bengasi, arrested two days ago in Rinas, started at 12:00 in the Special Court, the session took place behind closed doors, due to the preservation of investigative secrecy. The Special …
Anti-drug operation, 8 arrested and one declared wanted
After 4 months of investigations, the Tirana police have carried out an anti-drug operation, arresting 8 people and declaring one wanted in Kodra e Diellit. The group had become a great concern for the residents of the area. Among those arrested is a husband and wife couple, where the husband, …
A 24 year old arrested for smuggling emigrants
The police operation coded “Road Guard 73” is finalized by the structures of DVP Gjirokastër and DVKM Gjirokastër. A 24-year-old man was arrested in the act of transporting, against payment, 13 immigrants from third countries who had illegally entered Albania and intended to cross to EU countries. A Pakistani citizen …
“Gerdec file”,the hearing session for former minister Fatmir Mediu is being held today
This Friday, the court session will be held for the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, for the Gerdec explosion. In the last session, the lawyers of the former minister asked to waive the summary trial, but the court stated that only the defendant has the right to make this …
Begaj in Kazakhstan, meeting with his counterpart Tokayev
The President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, accompanied by the First Lady Armanda Begaj, was received today on a state visit to Kazakhstan by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This visit marks the first visit of a president from Albania to Kazakhstan, and comes …
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 …