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
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
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
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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Balkan countries are continuing to sacrifice their remaining clean river stretches to development and pollution, a new assessment warns. Original post Here
The Bulgarian mystic’s doomy predictions continue to grab headlines in Albania and elsewhere – even though many seem fabricated and sometimes appear to serve Russian geopolitical narratives. Original post Here
Tirana, 21.01.2026 – Research on disability has increasingly moved into the centre of international scientific and policy discussions, reflecting broader debates about inclusion, quality of life and access to public space. Against this wider backdrop, the King Salman Center for Disability Research (KSCDR) has opened nominations for the 4th cycle of …
While Albania’s Edi Rama welcomed an invitation to join Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania and Greece merely confirmed that they had received invitations. Original post Here
When the “Choo Choo” Train Never Came It begins with a scene that now feels almost surreal. In 2022, during a staged media event in Tirana, Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku enthusiastically explained to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the Tirana–Durrës–Rinas railway would be completed by 2024. …
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 United States has once again issued an unusually clear and public warning about the threat posed by Albanian organized crime groups and their links to Latin American drug cartels, framing the issue not only as a criminal challenge but as a direct risk to Albania’s national security and economic …
As the new year gets off to a cold start in the region, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories takes a look at the high expectations and sobering realities of what 2026 holds in store. Original post Here
Critics warn of deepening inequality, impunity and potential money-laundering exposure. Tirana Times, January 16,2025 – Albania’s newly adopted “fiscal peace” package framed by the government as a reset of relations between businesses and the tax authorities, has sparked sharp criticism from economists, business associations, the opposition and international observers. Although …
Opinion articles under the pseudonym ‘Endri Kajsiu’ have for years promoted pro-government narratives in the Albanian media – leading some to wonder if the author could even be the prime minister. Original post Here