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SPAK issues 20 arrest warrants, 14 arrested

By order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, 14 people were arrested, accused of drug trafficking.  The operation is still ongoing and it is learned that 20 orders have been issued. It is learned that the operation was carried out in cooperation with Italian authorities, in several cities such as Tirana, …

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Rama in Brussels, hosted by Ursula von der Leyen

During his stay in Brussels, Prime Minister Edi Rama was received this Tuesday by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The meeting with von der Leyen of the head of the government follows the one with the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, the details …

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Meeting with Borrell, Rama: Kurti and Vucic should not leave the conference without an agreement

Prime Minister Edi Rama hold a press conference together with the representative of the EU, Josep Borrel, after the meeting they had in Brussels. Rama first said that he feels good when he hears good words about the country’s process, as a result of the reforms. He added that he …

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Drug trafficking’s operation, SPAK: The group operated in Syria, Turkey and Macedonia, among arrested a policeman

SPAK prosecutor, Vladimir Mara, in a press conference, gave details about the police operation where a criminal group distributing narcotics in several European countries was destroyed. In his speech, Mara stated that the group operated from Syria in several other countries in the EU, including Albania, were involved in drug …

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Waiting Game: Afghan Refugees Stuck in Albania Long for America

Afghan refugees who came to Albania in 2021, expecting to move quickly on to the US, are finding their prolonged stay in the Balkan country frustrating. Original post Here

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New details unveiled on Vlora’s monday shooting

New details have been learned this Tuesday about yesterday’s event in Vlora, where 33-year-old Tonin Rama was injured.  It is suspected that there were 3 perpetrators, while only two of them shot several times at Tonin, injuring him in the leg. Perpetrators have not yet been identified, while the police …

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Grenade attack on North Mitrovica municipality

Building of the North Mitrovica municipality was attacked with hand grenades during Tuesday night, while the Kosovo Police announced that some material damage was caused to two official cars. “In the late hours of the evening, a suspect attacked the Municipality in the North of Mitrovica with an explosive device. …

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Murder and relations with the company that has a concession for Fier’s incinerator, two Albanians are extradited from Greece and Germany

 Two Albanians convicted in Greece and Germany have been extradited to Albania. Mihal Merkuri is sentenced to 10 years for intentional homicide. Whereas, Silvester Driza, has founded a company Sh.p.k. and has carried out several fictitious transactions with the company that has the concession of the Fier incinerator. “The cooperation …

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Man arrested by SPAK for ordering execution

Albert Pashaj was arrested this Tuesday by order of the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), after being accused of paying Henrik Hoxhajn and Skerdi Tase to kill Aredin Behari. Local media reported that Pashaj had ordered the murder of Behar for property reasons, but the assassination attempt …

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Accused for corruption and abuse of duty, Safet Gjici appears before the court

The former mayor of Kukes appeared before the court today to be informed with the security measure. ABC News has provided photos from the courtroom, as the security measure is expected to be confirmed for him. Gjici was arrested after the publication of the erotic video scandal in his office, …

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In Albania, Leveraging Celebrity Exposure to Stay out of Jail

Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here

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Albanian Ex-Mayor Convicted in Second Abuse of Office Case

An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here

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Rama’s Collision With Justice Shatters Illusions About Albania’s Democracy

The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here

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Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy

V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …

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Middle East Crisis: Balkan Countries Act to Ease Spike in Oil Prices

As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here

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Timeline: Albania’s High-Level Corruption Cases Raise Political Temperature

The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 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

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Albania Opposition Protest Turns Violent

Democratic Party leader and former President Sali Berisha injured during clashes. Tirana Times, March 22, 2026 — Albania’s latest national opposition protest in Tirana, which ended in violent clashes between protesters and police, exposed not only rising anger against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government but also a broader crisis of …

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US Targets Iran Linked Cyber Network as Albania Emerges as Key Victim

Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – The United States has moved to dismantle a cyber network linked to Iran’s intelligence apparatus, seizing four domains used for hacking operations, disinformation campaigns and threats, in a case that places Albania at the center of a broader geopolitical confrontation. The U.S. Department of …

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Albania Draws a Red Line on Iran

Parliament’s decision to label Tehran a state sponsor of terrorism formalizes a break years in the making and reflects a broad Albanian consensus that Iran has become a direct security threat Tirana Times, March 18, 2026 – Albania has taken one of its toughest political steps yet against Iran, with …

News

In Albania, Leveraging Celebrity Exposure to Stay out of Jail

Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here

News

Albanian Ex-Mayor Convicted in Second Abuse of Office Case

An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here

News

Rama’s Collision With Justice Shatters Illusions About Albania’s Democracy

The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here

News

Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy

V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …

News

Middle East Crisis: Balkan Countries Act to Ease Spike in Oil Prices

As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here

News

Timeline: Albania’s High-Level Corruption Cases Raise Political Temperature

The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 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

Albania Opposition Protest Turns Violent

Democratic Party leader and former President Sali Berisha injured during clashes. Tirana Times, March 22, 2026 — Albania’s latest national opposition protest in Tirana, which ended in violent clashes between protesters and police, exposed not only rising anger against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government but also a broader crisis of …

News

US Targets Iran Linked Cyber Network as Albania Emerges as Key Victim

Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – The United States has moved to dismantle a cyber network linked to Iran’s intelligence apparatus, seizing four domains used for hacking operations, disinformation campaigns and threats, in a case that places Albania at the center of a broader geopolitical confrontation. The U.S. Department of …

News

Albania Draws a Red Line on Iran

Parliament’s decision to label Tehran a state sponsor of terrorism formalizes a break years in the making and reflects a broad Albanian consensus that Iran has become a direct security threat Tirana Times, March 18, 2026 – Albania has taken one of its toughest political steps yet against Iran, with …