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The tower project in SPAK, the denunciation was submitted by Democratic Party

The file for the highest tower to be built in Tirana, otherwise called “Mountain of Tirana” has been handed to SPAK. Members of the Municipal Council, part of the Democratic Party, filed a lawsuit at noon today and have stated that they will make available to justice all the evidence …

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Ancient Albania palafit village could be Europe’s oldest settlement 

TIRANA, Aug. 8, 2023 – In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, Albanian and Swiss researchers have unearthed evidence of a prehistoric settlement in southeastern Albania that predates anything previously known in Europe.  The Lini palafit village, located on the shores of Lake Ohrid near the picturesque town of Pogradec, has been …

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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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No Silver Bullet: Sanctions in Western Balkans Risk Becoming Empty Gestures

International sanctions can be a useful tool for holding powerful figures accountable – but if they’re not followed up with action in their home countries, their effect may be limited. Original post Here

News
Moving Albanian Drug Money, on Trust or in Crypto

Investigators have documented the use of foreign exchange offices in Albania to move drug money, either in crypto or via a centuries-old, trust-based system called Hawala. Original post Here

News
Obituary

Remembering Janusz Bugajski: Scholar, Mentor, and Lifelong Friend of the Balkans Janusz Bugajski (1954–2025) The international academic and analytical community has lost one of its most lucid and principled voices. Janusz Bugajski, the distinguished American analyst of Eurasian and Balkan affairs, passed away on October 18, 2025, at the age …

News
How Albania Became a Hub of the Global Fraud Industry

Organised crime networks are using call centres in Albania to defraud people across Europe, conning them with promises of big profits from scam investments and employing sophisticated social-engineering techniques. Original post Here

News
Why Britain Needs the Western Balkans Summit to Deliver on Migration

The UK’s ambitious agenda for the London summit of the Berlin Process reflects its commitment to the Western Balkans region but also its own domestic priorities, starting with illegal migration. Original post Here

News
Türkiye and Albania: From Shared Past to Strategic Future

By Marjana Doda, This feature draws on exclusive insights from an interview with Ambassador Tayyar Kagan Atay, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Tirana. On the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Atay reflects on the unique depth of Albanian–Turkish ties—links shaped by shared history …

News
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: October 20, 2025

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
Albanian Judges Decry ‘Non-Existent Security’ After Courtroom Killing

The courtroom killing of a judge in Tirana has prompted calls from Albanian judges and prosecutors for authorities to get serious about their ‘almost non-existent’ security. Original post Here

News
Albania–Kosovo Rift Weakens the Albanian Voice 

The Rama–Kurti clash over the war crimes tribunal highlights deeper structural tensions, from unimplemented agreements to competing regional agendas.  The latest clash between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Kosovo’s Albin Kurti is more than another exchange of political insults. It reflects the fragile state of relations between Albania and …

News
Tirana Protesters Demand Justice for Kosovo War Leaders 

Hundreds of protesters rallied in the Albanian capital on Friday demanding justice for former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) on trial in The Hague, denouncing the proceedings as an attack on the wartime struggle against Serbian forces.  The demonstrators, many waving KLA flags and chanting slogans such as …

News

No Silver Bullet: Sanctions in Western Balkans Risk Becoming Empty Gestures

International sanctions can be a useful tool for holding powerful figures accountable – but if they’re not followed up with action in their home countries, their effect may be limited. Original post Here

News

Moving Albanian Drug Money, on Trust or in Crypto

Investigators have documented the use of foreign exchange offices in Albania to move drug money, either in crypto or via a centuries-old, trust-based system called Hawala. Original post Here

News

Obituary

Remembering Janusz Bugajski: Scholar, Mentor, and Lifelong Friend of the Balkans Janusz Bugajski (1954–2025) The international academic and analytical community has lost one of its most lucid and principled voices. Janusz Bugajski, the distinguished American analyst of Eurasian and Balkan affairs, passed away on October 18, 2025, at the age …

News

How Albania Became a Hub of the Global Fraud Industry

Organised crime networks are using call centres in Albania to defraud people across Europe, conning them with promises of big profits from scam investments and employing sophisticated social-engineering techniques. Original post Here

News

Why Britain Needs the Western Balkans Summit to Deliver on Migration

The UK’s ambitious agenda for the London summit of the Berlin Process reflects its commitment to the Western Balkans region but also its own domestic priorities, starting with illegal migration. Original post Here

News

Türkiye and Albania: From Shared Past to Strategic Future

By Marjana Doda, This feature draws on exclusive insights from an interview with Ambassador Tayyar Kagan Atay, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Tirana. On the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Atay reflects on the unique depth of Albanian–Turkish ties—links shaped by shared history …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: October 20, 2025

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

Albanian Judges Decry ‘Non-Existent Security’ After Courtroom Killing

The courtroom killing of a judge in Tirana has prompted calls from Albanian judges and prosecutors for authorities to get serious about their ‘almost non-existent’ security. Original post Here

News

Albania–Kosovo Rift Weakens the Albanian Voice 

The Rama–Kurti clash over the war crimes tribunal highlights deeper structural tensions, from unimplemented agreements to competing regional agendas.  The latest clash between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Kosovo’s Albin Kurti is more than another exchange of political insults. It reflects the fragile state of relations between Albania and …

News

Tirana Protesters Demand Justice for Kosovo War Leaders 

Hundreds of protesters rallied in the Albanian capital on Friday demanding justice for former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) on trial in The Hague, denouncing the proceedings as an attack on the wartime struggle against Serbian forces.  The demonstrators, many waving KLA flags and chanting slogans such as …