SPAK seizes the company of businessman Ilir Rrapaj
SPAK seizes 40% of the Sani Servis Company owned by businessman Ilir Rrapaj. A company based in Kosovo has also been seized, as well as 13 vehicles owned by Rrapaj. Also two bank accounts in the value of 285,412.48 Euro and another with 113,610.93 ALL were seized. Also, in the …
Begaj meeting with Minister Hasani: We discussed the situation in the region and pensions with Italy
The President of the country, Bajram Begaj, through a post on the social network Facebook, announces that he has held a meeting with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasan. They discussed the situation in the region, the conclusion of the Social Security Agreement with Italy, as well …
Albanian doctor jailed for child trafficking and pornography
The heart surgeon doctor was left in prison by the court. Hasi was accused of trafficking minors and pornography. A day ago, the doctor Dervish Hasi asked for the postponement of the session for today, to familiarize himself with the documents. He also denied that he sexually abused the minor. …
Tirana, two arrested on drug trafficking charges
Two men have been arrested this Wednesday in Tirana for drug trafficking, police confirmed. The arrested are the citizens J.B. 33-year-old and A.N 22-year-old, both residents of Tirana. They were declared wanted after the court set for them the security measure ‘House Arrest’ for drug trafficking. Tirana Prosecution’s Office will …
Gerdeci File, Court orders police to find Secretary of the Former Minister of Justice
SPAK wants to find and call Anjola Agolli, former secretary of the Minister of Justice, who has not been found, although SPAK has made available a new address for her. Meanwhile, the summons was repeated for the other co-defendants, including Luan Hoxha, Dritan Minxolli and Mihal Delijorgji, who have not …
Concerns over access to official stats grow, as INSTAT tries to recover from cyberattack
TIRANA, Feb. 7, 2024 – Albania’s Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) is grappling with the aftermath of what it says was a sophisticated cyberattack, leaving its official website, instat.gov.al, inaccessible for several days before it went back up with limited access to key databases. While much of the focus of attention …
Albania signs long-awaited social insurance deal with Italy
By JERINA ZALOSHJA-RAKIPI ROME, Feb. 7, 2024 – After years of negotiations, Albania and Italy have signed a long-awaited deal on recognizing each other’s social insurance contributions, which will benefit more than 500,000 Albanian residents in Italy and any Italians who have worked in Albania. “This agreement guarantees at least …
From exile, Albania’s ex deputy PM alleges massive corruption at top of SP leadership
TIRANA, Feb. 6, 2024 – In an lengthy television interview from exile in Switzerland, Albania’s former deputy prime minister, Arben Ahmetaj, has made startling accusations of massive corruption at the top of the country’s ruling Socialist Party, involving misuse of public funds in waste management and other taxpayer-funded projects. The …
Albanian saw quality of life stagnate as rest of region improved, according to EBRD report
TIRANA, Jan. 31, 2024 – A recent report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has highlighted a stark contrast in the perception of quality of life between Albania and other countries in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans. While most nations in the region have seen significant …
Chief justice denounces unprecedented disregard from Socialist-controlled parliament over key ruling
TIRANA, Feb. 5, 2024 – In a rare press conference, the head of Albania’s Constitutional Court, Chief Justice Holta Zacaj, has rebuked Albania’s Socialist-controlled parliament for its refusal to adhere to a crucial court ruling regarding the mandate of Socialist MP and former foreign minister Olta Xhacka. Zacaj’s remarks came …
TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian champions Egnatia will take the field on Tuesday evening for the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Egnatia will face Irish side Shamrock Rovers in an away match that will start at 21:00. The team coached by Nevil Dede …
TIRANA, August 4 – Nearly 27 years after the Reçak massacre, Kosova’s justice system has opened an in absentia trial against more than 20 former Serbian army and police members. They face accusations over the killing of 42 Albanian civilians on January 15, 1999. The first hearing took place in …
TIRANA, August 4 – A total of 727 operational forces have worked over the past 24 hours to manage 20 wildfire outbreaks across Albania, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said. The response included 128 members of the Armed Forces, 2 firefighting vehicles, 1 medical ambulance and 3 Air Force helicopters. These …
TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian Customs is managing heavy summer travel flows with 24-hour service and efficient border procedures, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj noted that more than 1.8 million passengers travelled through Tirana International Airport during July. The airport also handled about 9,500 flights, reflecting the peak of …
TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s 2026 National Agricultural Support Scheme has expanded its beneficiary base and drawn significantly more applications after lowering minimum funding thresholds and easing eligibility requirements. Ardita Kuçi, Director General of the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR), said the revised scheme has encouraged broader participation …
TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s provisional closure of Chapter 30 – External Relations commits the country to align future trade agreements with European Union rules, including a clause allowing their termination without compensation once Albania joins the bloc. EU affairs expert Geron Kamberi said the chapter focuses on the EU’s …
TIRANA, August 4 – President Bajram Begaj received Ecuador’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Esteban Assar Moscoso Bohman, at an official credentials ceremony after the diplomat presented his Letters of Credence. Begaj wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic mission and reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ecuador. He …
TIRANA, August 4 – The US Embassy in Tirana welcomed Albania’s ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, describing it as strong support for the continued modernisation of the Albanian Armed Forces. According to the embassy, the funding will help Albania advance toward …
TIRANA, August 4 – Prolonged drought and high temperatures continue to reduce the water level at the Fierza reservoir, Albania’s largest hydropower lake, as inflows fall sharply. Water inflows from the rivers feeding the reservoir have dropped to about 80 cubic metres per second. Meanwhile, the lake level has fallen …
TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …