Op/Ed: The Beleri case as bellwether for democracy in Albania
By GENC POLLO The standard definition of a political prisoner is “someone imprisoned for their political activity. The political offense is not always the official reason for the prisoner’s detention”. If it still holds Albania might have gotten one. Fredi Beleri, who ran on an opposition ticket in the local …
Father and son arrested for cannabis cultivation
Father and son were arrested this Wednesday morning for cannabis cultivation in Lazarat village. The 51-year-old and the 28-year-old were caught by drones used in the operation, tending to the 50 cannabis plants they had planted in the yard of their apartment. The drug was seized as material evidence while …
SPAK-Guardia di Finanza Operation, six arrested on drug trafficking
New details have been revealed from the international anti-drug operation developed by the Albanian police in cooperation with the Italian Guardia Di Financa and the American DEA. Journalist Xhensila Kodra reports that the 4 rafts left on Tuesday afternoon from Patoku, while the sailboat left from Montenegro. More than 20 …
Teen died as two Jet Skis collide in Himara
A 16-year-old man who was driving one of the two Jet Skis that collide on Tuesday afternoon on the beach of Llamani in Himare has died. The 16-year-old was transported to Tirana but could not survive. Initially, it was reported that they jumped from the cliff into the sea, but …
“We will punish anyone who violates the law”, Balla visits injured policeman in Himara
The Minister of the Interior Taulant Balla and the Director DVP Vlora Ermal Muçaj were present at the Vlora Regional Hospital, to visit the Police officer, who is receiving treatment at this hospital, after he was stabbed yesterday evening during the out-of-hours intervention to prevent the escalation of a conflict. …
A policeman was stabbed by a 60 year old
A police officer was stabbed after he intervened to stop a conflict between several people in Himare. The incident took place around 11:00 pm on Tuesday near Pilur village turn. The 28-year-old, on duty as a police inspector in the Lukovo area, was crossing the street outside of working hours …
SPAK sends the file for trial for former mayor Fran Tuci
The Special Anti-Corruption Structure has completed the investigations and sent the file for trial of the former mayor of Fushe-Arrezi Fran Tuci, who is accused of abuse of office and destruction of property. According to SPAK, the former mayor, in violation of the law, has allowed the opening of a …
Anti-drug operation in Tirana/ One of the arrested, part of ‘Self-determination movement’
Besnik Mujeci, one of the five arrested from the coded operation “PUNISHER 2”, in which a criminal group that trafficked from Kosovo to Albania narcotics, ecstasy, MDMA, was hit, turns out to be part of the Vetëvendosje Movement. More specifically, he is a member of the municipal assembly of Pristina. Two …
Begaj passes the laws about medical cannabis and students
President Bajram Begaj quietly passes the two much-discussed laws, the one on medical cannabis and medical students. Monday evening was the deadline when the President would decree the two laws that were approved in the last session in the Parliament, on July 20. He has decided not to put his …
A 26-year-old man is killed with a screwdriver, the perpetrator is arrested
A 26-year-old man died on Monday evening in Bulqiza after a conflict for weak motives. The serious event was recorded in Shupenza in the late hours of the night. The 26-year-old man was hit with a screwdriver by a 30-year-old man after they clashed with each other. The young man …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”894728e9-f4d0-4440-9a73-58edcb4bf864″ data-turn-id-container=”894728e9-f4d0-4440-9a73-58edcb4bf864″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-13″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The United States Department of State, in cooperation with other federal institutions, has submitted an official report to Congress on policy in the Western Balkans, emphasizing that regional stability, security, and US economic interests remain priorities in a region considered …
The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, after being re-elected as head of the party, published a lengthy message on his Facebook page, emphasizing that the vote of Democrats in yesterday’s elections defeated what he described as the most dangerous narco-mafia in Europe. According to him, the vote of …
In Tepelena, food product prices are continuing to rise, becoming increasingly unaffordable for consumers. The increase has affected not only basic food items but also the fruit and vegetable market, with residents describing the prices as too high to cope with. The economic difficulties are being felt especially by the …
The cultural weekend in Gjirokastër featured the “Vlach Culture” Festival, which promotes the folklore and traditions of the Aromanian community in Albania. Organized in the village of Andon Poçi, the festival brought together artists, folk groups, and ensembles from Gjirokastër, Korça, Vlora, and other regions. The event also included the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has welcomed the European Union’s decision to grant further financial support to Albania within the framework of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bbf1546b-a1c5-48dd-adc3-3986143cd709-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bbf1546b-a1c5-48dd-adc3-3986143cd709-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> This week, Brussels approved the disbursement of €49 million for Albania, bringing …
Greek Minister of Defense, Nikos Dendias, is expected to visit Albania on Monday. According to diplomatic sources, his agenda includes a visit to the Ministry of Defense, where he will meet with his Albanian counterpart, Ermal Nufi. Afterward, he will be received by Prime Minister Edi Rama, followed by a …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bbf1546b-a1c5-48dd-adc3-3986143cd709-8″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bbf1546b-a1c5-48dd-adc3-3986143cd709-8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-18″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Humidity and other atmospheric factors had caused damage to the statue of Mother Teresa located in Qafë Thanë. After several days of work, a specialized restoration intervention has been completed to restore the shine of the monumental artwork by sculptor …
The Delegation of the European Union in Tirana has reacted following the drone and missile attack launched by Russia on Kyiv, which also struck the residential complex where the Albanian ambassador to Ukraine lives. Through a post on social media, the EU strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing that the life …
As Albania’s LGBTIQ+ community marches under the slogan “Together for Family,” activists say the real threat to family and society is not diversity, but hatred, exclusion and fear. Tirana Times, May 24, 2026 – Albania’s LGBTIQ+ community held its annual Pride march in Tirana on May 23, turning the capital’s …
A Q&A with Gallery Kalo founder Përparim Kalo on art, cultural heritage and the gallery’s expanding vision along the Vjosa Valley. Introduction Gallery Kalo is more than an exhibition space. It is a cultural meeting point where art, memory, dialogue and contemporary creativity come together. Founded with the vision of …