‘The Same Coin’: Crackdown Exposes Organised Crime’s Penetration of Albanian Politics
Experts say an operation that used seized communications app data to investigate seven organised crime groups offers new evidence of the connections in Albania between gangsters, politics and the economy. Original post Here
Albania Bank Governor Faces Prosecution Threat Over Fraudulent Loans
Prosecutors say Gent Sejko has questions to answer over a dodgy company that harassed some 17,000 Albanians for nonexistant loans, and which operated under bank’s license for years. Original post Here
Albania’s Roma Decry Lack of Progress on Govt’s Integration Pledge
Five years ago, Albania promised its Roma community “full equality and integration”. There has been no discernible change. Original post Here
‘No Way Out’: Support Shortfall Forces Albanian Abuse Victims Back to Abusers
Albania registers thousands of cases of domestic violence every year but the absence of an adequate state support system means many victims end up back with their abusers. Original post Here
In Albania, Journalist’s Arrest for ‘Fake News’ Alarms Rights Groups
Media rights groups have called on Albania’s police to explain the arrest of a journalist and two police officers for producing ‘false information’ for the purpose of denigrating state officials. Original post Here
Women on Albanian Councils Told to ‘Shut Up’, Study Reveals
Albania has approved gender equality quotas for local councils since 2015. However, undemocratic practices by party leaders make women less willing to speak out and, when they do, more prone to be told: “Shut up”, a study has found. Original post Here
School’s Out: In Albania, Segregation of Minority Pupils Fuels High Dropout Rate
Evidence shows that schools with a large concentration of Roma and ethnic Egyptian pupils underperform – but Albania’s Education Ministry doesn’t see a problem. Original post Here
OSCE Questions Efficiency, Quality of Balkan Organised Crime, Graft Trials
An exhaustive analysis of organised crime and corruption trials in five Western Balkan countries identified a lack of efficiency, staffing, fairness and quality. Original post Here
Italy Eyes August Start Date for Albania Asylum Centres
Italy’s right-wing prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, inspected work on two asylum centres being built in Albania under a controversial deal between the two countries. Original post Here
As Palestine Recognitions Grow, Balkan States’ Stances Shaped by Geopolitics
Slovenia has recognised war-ravaged Palestine as independent, but some Balkan countries prefer to stay quiet and follow the United States’ lead – while others recognised Palestinian statehood decades ago while they were under communist rule. Original post Here
The Albanian government has approved the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Dublin, Ireland, expanding the country’s diplomatic network. The Council of Ministers adopted the decision under the Law on the Foreign Service of the Republic of Albania, following a proposal by the Minister for Europe …
Protesters in Albania hail ‘moral victory’ after PM Edi Rama declares in Brussels that his government will revisit controversial laws that pave the way for a luxury resort linked to Donald Trump’s family. Original post Here
TIRANA, July 15 – The State Police and the U.S. International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) reaffirmed their strategic partnership, built over more than 30 years of cooperation. State Police Director General Skënder Hita met with ICITAP Europe and Asia Programme Representative Alexzandria Burns and ICITAP Albania Programme Director …
The book “100 Years of Theatre in Shkodra: 1879–1979” by author Andrea Skanjeti has been published by the Academy of Sciences of Albania, presenting a century-long history of theatre in Shkodra, one of the country’s most important cultural centres. Academic and playwright Stefan Çapaliku contributed to preparing the book for …
TIRANA, July 15 – Deputy Health and Social Protection Minister Denada Seferi presented a draft law to the parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Information. The bill proposes amendments to the law governing the Civil Society Support Agency. Seferi said the draft aims to strengthen the agency’s institutional role. …
TIRANA, July 15 – Vllaznia will face Malisheva on Wednesday in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The Shkodër-based team travels to Kosova with a 2-1 advantage from the first match at “Loro Boriçi” Stadium. Vllaznia conceded an early goal but reacted with …
TIRANA, July 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Serbia bears the main responsibility for the current deadlock in its dialogue with Kosova because it has not accepted what he described as the new reality. In an interview with Euronews Serbia, Rama said the term “Kosovo and Metohija” no longer …
The Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) says that hosting international sporting events helps promote Albania, develop tourism, and support economic growth. FSHF highlighted the UEFA Europa Conference League final held in Tirana in 2022 as a clear example of how major football events can benefit the country. The federation aims to …
TIRANA, July 15 – Electoral crime remains a serious concern, but prosecutors can file charges only when evidence supports them, Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime chief Klodjan Braho said on Tuesday. Braho made the remarks while reporting to Parliament’s Committee on Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight during …
TIRANA, July 15 – Former Kosova Prime Minister and Honorary President of the Alliance for the Future of Kosova, Ramush Haradinaj, welcomed Albania’s provisional closure of three European Union negotiation chapters, calling it an important achievement in the country’s integration process. In a social media post, Haradinaj said the milestone …