SPAK seizes Tirana’s incinerator
Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has announced that it has seized the Tirana incinerator. SPAK announces that it is investigating within the criminal proceedings for the criminal offenses of “Fraud with serious consequences” in cooperation, “Abuse of duty”, “Passive corruption of high state officials or local elected officials”. It is also …
Kruja man prosecuted for threatening citizen with hunting rifle
A 53-year-old man has been prosecuted this Monday in Kruja after he threatened another citizen with a shotgun. Police revealed that the event took place in the village of Brret, Krujë, where after having a conflict with the 47-year-old citizen, the 53-year-old man threatened him with the gun. Following police …
Corruption in Ministry of Health, the investigations are closed
The Special Prosecutor’s Office has closed the investigations regarding the affair in the Ministry of Health, where at least four people have been charged, including the former secretary of this ministry, Joana Duro, and two engineers who won a tender worth about 8 million ALL. Journalist Ermal Vija reports for …
Police seized 28,000 undeclared euros at the border of Muriqan
Police has seized 28,400 euros who were found in car of a 50-year old. Proceedings were initiated against the citizen from Kosovo for the criminal offense of “Failure to declare money and valuables at the border”. The materials were referred to the Prosecutor’s Office, where the proceedings began in free …
Kukes Prosecution’s Head suspended after power abuse charges
High Prosecutorial Council (HPC) has suspended this Monday from office the chief prosecutor of Kukes, Xhevahir Lita, arrested during the operation of the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), codenamed “Metamorfoza”. During the meeting called by Head of HPC, Alfred Balla, it was decided that Kukesi’s Prosecutor’s Office …
Albania and North Macedonia joint customs control, Rama: We should not wait for the EU to remove barriers between us
This Monday, Prime Minister Edi Rama was present at the Qafe-Thane border crossing point, where he emphasized the importance of customs unification between the two countries, Albania and North Macedonia, which will affect economic development. Among other things, Rama has expressed that it is important that we facilitate trade procedures …
Police close investigations for 4 people charged for drug trafficking
Investigations are closed for 4 people who tried to traffic 1 ton of cannabis by ship to Italy. SPAK has charged Gregor Likaj, Arber Saraseli, Saverjo Imeraj and Qemal Pekmezi with the charge of international drug trafficking and organized criminal group. The narcotics were loaded by speedboats by Albanian citizens …
Influential Albanian politician led organized crime group in Australia, intelligence reports claim
By the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) Australia’s top criminal intelligence agency suspected Tom Doshi, a leading Albanian businessman and politician with ties to the prime minister, of leading a criminal group in the country that perpetrates immigration fraud, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Key Findings Confidential intelligence …
Analysis: What’s behind the Albanian currency’s unprecedented strength
TIRANA, July 23, 2023 – Albania’s currency, the lek, has continued its trend of trading at historic highs against the world’s most important currencies, causing both surprise and worry as the euro’s 12 percent fall in 7 months hurts key domestic industries that have their income in foreign currency while …
Man assaults pregnant cohabitant causing abortion
A 56-year-old man brutally assaulted his cohabitant in Maliq this Saturday. The latter consequently had an abortion, as she was 2 months pregnant. “Specialists for the Investigation of Crimes of the Malik Police Station arrested in the act the citizen A. M., 56 years old, a resident of the village …
Taulant Balla supports Albanian students protesting in North Macedonia. He posts on social media. He backs their demand. Students want the bar exam in Albanian. Balla says the request is legitimate. He says the constitution already recognizes this right. Yet, it is not applied in practice. He calls for action. …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. They first met in Tirana. Later, they continued talks in Durrës. Both sides confirmed strong relations. They also confirmed mutual trust and a strong partnership. Hoxha said both …
Opposition MPs Ina Zhupa and Ivi Kaso meet today with Scott Bates. They discuss with the National Democratic Institute director for Europe. Zhupa leads the discussion. She focuses on transparency. She pushes for inclusion. She demands stronger Parliament oversight. The MPs raise concerns. They highlight challenges facing the opposition. They …
The Embassy of the United States in Albania honors 13 Albanian employees who retire after more than 25 years of service. The embassy holds a ceremony. It invites colleagues and family members. It recognizes long service and dedication. Nancy VanHorn presents U.S. flags to the retirees. She thanks them for …
Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi meets today with Scott Bates. They discuss cooperation between the Assembly of Albania and the National Democratic Institute. Peleshi focuses on transparency. He emphasizes accountability. He pushes for modernization of parliamentary processes. Both sides highlight long-term cooperation. They strengthen the Parliamentary Institute as a success …
Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official visit to the Republic of South Korea (May 17–21). His wife, Linda Rama, and an official delegation accompany him. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. It also seeks to expand partnership in development, technology, and innovation. Rama arrives …
President Bajram Begaj met today with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. They discussed relations between Albania and Qatar. Begaj praised strong ties between the two countries. He highlighted good cooperation and called for stronger political and economic relations. He also supported increased Qatari …
The European Union supports Albania and Kosovo in improving plant production and plant health monitoring through the “EU4Trade” project. As part of the initiative, inspectors from the General Directorate of Plant Protection and regional veterinary and plant protection authorities from both countries met in Prizren over the weekend. They attend …
President Bajram Begaj meets today participants of the High Course on Security and Defence at the Albanian Armed Forces College. Representatives from security institutions and allied countries attend the meeting. These include Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Kosovo, Poland, and Jordan. Begaj praises the course. He highlights cooperation among …
Socialist Party MP Pirro Vengu supports Albanian students protesting in North Macedonia. He praises the protest. He calls it peaceful and civic. He describes it as a European example. Vengu says students defend the Albanian language in professional exams. He says they show strong civic energy. He states that the …