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Albania keeps up pressure on MEK, PM hints they could be kicked out of the country if hostile activities continue

TIRANA, June 30, 2023 – Albanian police have kept up their controls of anyone who enters or exits Ashraf 3 camp in Manza, which houses nearly 2,500 members of MEK, an Iranian dissident group that was given asylum in Albania several years ago at the request of the United States …

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Sacked Albanian Judge ‘Didn’t Get Fair Hearing’: Strasbourg Court

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Admir Thanza wasn’t given adequate opportunity to defend himself when he was fired as an Albanian judge for failing a corruption ‘integrity test’ – but that his dismissal was not a rights violation. Original post Here

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Rama to travel to Western Balkans for a series of high-level meetings

Prime Minister Edi Rama will visit te countries of the Western Balkans on July 6 and 7. Journalist Esiona Konomi reports that the visits of the head of the government will take place within the framework of the Berlin Process and the future of the “Open Balkans”, but it is …

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Who was target of Fushe-Kruja assasination

Target of the assassination attempt in Kruja, where Ramazan Sino and his 18-year-old nephew, Alvi Bejtja, were killed was Gentian Bejtja. Beitja is not an unknown name for justice, as he managed to escape two previous assassinations, one in 2016 and one in 2022. In 2016, he had explosives planted …

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PM Rama’s message on the 247th anniversary of US independence

Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated US on its 247th anniversary of independence this Tuesday. In his social networks statement, he attached some photos taken yesterday during the reception ceremony of the former American president, Bill Clinton in Tirana. “Happy 4th of July America. God bless you”, wrote the head of …

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President Begaj wishes Happy Independence Day to US

President Bajram Begaj congratulated this Tuesday the independence of the USA with a message on Facebook. In his statemenr, the President expressed his gratitude for the history that connects our country with the USA while adding that as strategic partners, Albania is determined for a future with the common values …

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New details on Kruja assassination unveiled

New details have been revealed from the assassination that happened in the village of Larushk in Krujë, where a person lost his life and his grandson was injured during Tuesday night. According to the local media, the car that was allegedly used in the event was stolen. Among other things, …

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Minister: Albania saw almost 3% economic growth in Jan-Mar 2023

Minister of Finance, Delina Ibrahimaj has said Tuesday that economic growth was 2.72% in the first quarter of the year. In a press conference, the minister emphasized that the growth was mainly driven by real estate and construction activities, followed by the trade and services sector. “For the first three …

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Kurti conference with Rutte and Bettel: Not signing the agreement was a big mistake

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, is holding a joint conference with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, and the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel. Kurti said during his speech that the agreement agreed with Serbia should be implemented and that the biggest mistake was not …

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SPAK concludes investigation on Dimal municipality’s officials

Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime has closed the investigations and has sent for trial the file in charge of officials of the Municipality of Dimal who are accused of corruption. It is about officials Arben Guraj in charge of services at Dimal Municipality; Altin Pali director of …

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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 …

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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

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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 …

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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 …