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 …
Greece is increasing efforts to restart talks with Albania on maritime borders. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias will visit Tirana next week for high-level meetings. He will meet Albanian Defense Minister Ermal Nufi and Prime Minister Edi Rama. The visit aims to revive talks on maritime border delimitation. In October …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania will officially open the final phase of European Union membership negotiations on May 26 in Brussels. He said Albania successfully completed the opening phase of the process. During his weekly remarks, Rama highlighted the discussions between the European Commission and EU member states in …
The Albanian Football Federation took part in the “UEFA Grow for Human Resources and Financial Management” conference in Warsaw. The event brought together representatives from European football federations. The conference focused on human resources and financial management inside football federations. Participants discussed organizational structures, internal processes and strategic planning. They …
Igli Hasani praised Italy’s support for Albania as steady, concrete and sincere. He said the backing extends across Italy’s political spectrum. During an official visit to Rome, Hasani met senior Italian officials. They focused on Albania’s path toward European integration and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. Hasani met with …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha thanked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for honoring Mother Teresa. He praised her as a saint of Albanian origin who left a strong legacy of compassion, humility and service to humanity. In a social media post, Hoxha said Mother Teresa’s life …
Parliamentary Group Chair of the Socialist Party Taulant Balla said Albania’s European Union integration requires continued reforms and strong citizen involvement. He spoke during a discussion with students of the European University of Tirana held at Preza Castle. Balla focused on the progress of reforms and the fulfillment of conditions …
Three young innovators presented their projects on the podcast “Flasim”, hosted by Prime Minister Edi Rama. First, they introduced ideas focused on technology, research and agriculture. Then, they explained how innovation can become industry in Albania. Fabjola presented a self-healing concrete technology. She said the material uses industrial waste. It …
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio paid tribute to the legacy of Mother Teresa during a visit to the Missionaries of Charity. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana shared Rubio’s statement on social media. Rubio said Mother Teresa left an extraordinary legacy of compassion and service. He said he was honored …
The European Union Delegation in Albania has condemned the latest Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. It said the strikes targeted Kyiv during the night and caused several casualties. It also said the residential complex where the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania in Ukraine lives was hit. The …
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs summoned the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Tirana, Alexey Zaitsev, to deliver a strong protest. The ministry responded to massive drone and missile attacks overnight in Ukraine. It said the attacks hit the residential complex where …