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Turkey condemns ‘provocative reports’ targeting Turkish Embassy in Kosovo

The Turkish Foreign Ministry rejected and condemned what is called “malicious media manipulations” in Kosovo, specifically news reports claiming that six Turkish men deported from the country were in the Turkish Embassy in Pristina. The reaction came a day after Turkish president Erdogan slammed Kosovo PM Haradinaj for sacking Interior …

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Erdogan slams Kosovo PM after sacking interior minister, intelligence chief, for arresting six Turks linked to Gulen

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj that he will be held accountable for sacking interior minister and intelligence chief over a joint operation by Turkish and Kosovar intelligence services, which resulted in the arrests and extradition of six Turkish nationals suspected of their links …

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Albanians clash with police opposing road toll

Thousands of Albania and Kosovo citizens clashed with the police on Saturday protesting against Albania’s toll road. Original post Here

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Kosovo President says extradited Turkish nationals suspected of ‘breaching national security’

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci addressing to media on Saturday said that the six arrested and extradited Turkish nationals suspected of their alleged links with Fetullah Gulen, were involved in “illegal activities” and were “threatening national security” of Kosovo. Original post Here

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Kosovo to investigate extradition of Turkish nationals

Kosovo Prime Minister announced launching of an investigation into the arrest and extradition of six Turkish citizens over alleged links to schools financed by the Gulen Movement, which Turkish President Erdogan accuses of a failed coup in 2016. Original post Here

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Vulin threatening Kosovo President: Thaci will crawl before Serbian Army

Serbia’s Minister of Defence, Aleksandar Vulin, has made an open threat against Kosovo President Hashim Thaci. Vulin said that Kosovo President Thaci during the war “ran before” Serbian Army and next time “he will be crawling before the Serbian Army, if only need be.” Original post Here

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Kosovo opposition wants snap election after ruling parties lose majority

Chief of parliamentary group of the opposition party, LDK, Avdullah Hoti, called as scandalous the decision of Kosovo authorities to deport the six Turkish nationals who wre arrested on Thursday suspected of their links with the Gulen movement. Original post Here

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Parliament Speaker slams Kosovo PM, President over deportation of Turkish teachers

Kosovo Parliament Speaker and chairman of the ruling party, PDK, Kadri Veseli, said that the Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and President Hashim Thaci are to be held responsible for the arrest and deportation Turkish nationals for their alleged connection to Fethullah Gulen’s movement. Original post Here

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Kosovo PM dismisses Interior minister, intelligence chief over Turkish arrests

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj dismissed on Friday the minister of Internal Affairs Falmur Sefaj, and the director of the Intelligence Agency, Driton Gashi, after the arrest and extradition to Turkey of six Turkish nationals due to their alleged links to a network run by Fethullah Gulen. Original post Here

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Turkish President Erdogan spoke over the phone with Thaci, Vucic

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday spoke over the phone with his counterparts in Serbia and Kosovo to discuss the detention of a Serb politician, Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency (AA) is reporting. Original post Here

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AIIS Honors Ilir Ikonomi with “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize

Tirana Times, March 26 , 2026 –  The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has awarded its prestigious annual “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize for 2025 to historian and translator Ilir Ikonomi, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing major works of international scholarship to the Albanian audience. Ilir Ikonomi received the award …

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Week in Review: Alignment, Collision and Scandal

From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read. Original post Here

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Iran-Linked Hackers Target Albanian Post in Latest Attack

The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here

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In Albania, Leveraging Celebrity Exposure to Stay out of Jail

Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here

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Albanian Ex-Mayor Convicted in Second Abuse of Office Case

An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here

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Rama’s Collision With Justice Shatters Illusions About Albania’s Democracy

The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here

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Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy

V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …

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Middle East Crisis: Balkan Countries Act to Ease Spike in Oil Prices

As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here

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Timeline: Albania’s High-Level Corruption Cases Raise Political Temperature

The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

AIIS Honors Ilir Ikonomi with “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize

Tirana Times, March 26 , 2026 –  The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has awarded its prestigious annual “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize for 2025 to historian and translator Ilir Ikonomi, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing major works of international scholarship to the Albanian audience. Ilir Ikonomi received the award …

News

Week in Review: Alignment, Collision and Scandal

From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read. Original post Here

News

Iran-Linked Hackers Target Albanian Post in Latest Attack

The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here

News

In Albania, Leveraging Celebrity Exposure to Stay out of Jail

Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here

News

Albanian Ex-Mayor Convicted in Second Abuse of Office Case

An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here

News

Rama’s Collision With Justice Shatters Illusions About Albania’s Democracy

The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here

News

Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy

V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …

News

Middle East Crisis: Balkan Countries Act to Ease Spike in Oil Prices

As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here

News

Timeline: Albania’s High-Level Corruption Cases Raise Political Temperature

The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here