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Albanian, Italian Authorities Conclude Operation Against Drug Gang

Albania’s Special Prosecution and counterparts in Bergamo, Italy, have cracked a drug-busting operation run by three Albanians, seizing large amounts of cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Original post Here

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Albania Police Find More Surveillance Cameras Erected by Gangsters

Albania’s police are continuing an operation to find and dismantle surveillance cameras illegally erected in cities by criminal groups to collect information and monitor police movements. Original post Here

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Italy Seeks Higher Profile Role in Western Balkans

A concern that Italy is not adequately exploiting its assets in the Balkans has again started to agitate Italian politicians. Original post Here

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Illegal Surveillance Cameras in Albania Fuel Concerns Over Gangs’ Power

As Albanian police continue their drive to dismantle security cameras illegally erected by organized crime gangs, experts voice concern about the gangs’ apparent ‘superiority’ over state institutions. Original post Here

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Mega operation Italy – Albania, SPAK: Three Albanian leaders of the criminal group

As a result of the mega operation between Albania and Italy, there are security measures for 43 people. The arrests were related to drug trafficking, where 4 million euros were seized. According to the Italian authorities, this operation was also carried out in coordination with Erojujust. SPAK announces that in …

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Tirana-stabbed young man is suspected to have been mugged

Tirana Police has questioned this Friday Olgen Duka, 29 years old, who was stabbed shortly after midnight in “Skënderbej” square, but he gave contradictory and incomplete statements to the investigative group regarding the circumstances of the incident. Duka’s statement did not help the police to clarify the circumstances of the …

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Peleshi visit in USA, is hosted by the US Secretary of Defense

Defense Minister Niko Peleshi during his official visit to the USA was received at the Pentagon by the American Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. Their talks focused on the continuation of Albania’s strategic cooperation with the United States of America in defense and security, as well as strengthening …

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International day of commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust: Rama: Albania has the place of honor

Prime Minister Edi Rama, through a post on the social network “Facebook”, reacted to the anniversary of the victims of the Holocaust. “The memory of the victims of the Holocaust will never be forgotten”, writes Rama. Then the Prime Minister emphasizes that due to the reaction to this event, Albania …

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US Ambassador visits Constitutional Court

US Ambassador to Albana, Yuri Kim has gone this Friday around 12:00 to the Constitutional Court. Visit of the American diplomat has come after the court was filled with the full body of judges, namely nine of them. However, the judicial reform process led to the dismissal of many judges …

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20 illegal cameras removed by police in Fier, Lushnja

Officers are resuming this Sunday the nationwide action to remove illegal cameras, while in Lushnjë and Fier, 20 spy cameras were removed as they were mounted on roads, poles or on the side of buildings. Under investigation for unjust interference in private life, 5 citizens, of these, 2 citizens in …

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Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

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BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

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Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

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NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

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Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

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Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

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Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

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Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

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The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

News

Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

News

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News

NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

News

Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

News

Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

News

Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News

Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …