Burned tens of hectares of forest, two arrested in Himare
Two people have been arrested as suspected perpetrators of arson in Kudhes village in Himare. They lit a fire on a rented forest area, with the aim of regenerating the pasture, and as a result dozens of hectares were burned in the territory of Kudhës village. Meanwhile, a forest inspector …
Rama: We will not allow the wild behavior of a minority to damage Albania’s reborn tourism
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a new package of legal punishments for all those persons or subjects who throw garbage on the street. He says that the “wild behavior” of a minority cannot be tolerated, which through such actions damage the image of “Albania reborn by tourism”. The head …
Three arrested for indian’s death in Elbasan factory
Three people have been arrested by the police, following the death of the 45-year-old Indian man at the Elbasan aluminium recycling factory on Friday morning (August 18). It is reported that the victim was accidentally hit with a work tool by one of his compatriots, a 46-year-old man with the …
One dead and three injured in a car accident in Elbasan
A 70-year-old man died and three others were injured, including two minors, in an accident in Elbasan. The police proceeded to release a 39-year-old man who, while driving the vehicle, lost control and as a result the vehicle collided with the side barrier of the road. The authorities have started …
Analysis: Continued detention of elected mayor strains Albanian-Greek relations
TIRANA, Aug. 16, 2023 — The arrest and three-month-long pretrial detention of Fredi Beleri, the elected mayor of Himara, a coastal town in southwestern Albania, has ignited a diplomatic row between Albania and Greece and has prompted scrutiny on political influence on Albania’s justice system. Beleri is a key figure …
Multiple arrests made in high-profile corruption case linked to hospital sterilization concession
TIRANA, Aug. 17, 2023 – In a significant move that follows years of public accusations on ruling party officials, Albania’s Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has made several arrests connected to a contentious hospital sterilization concession granted eight years ago. Among those arrested were former Deputy Minister …
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 …
The Albanian Files suggests that international architecture may have served not only as design, but as a prestigious façade for opaque money, captured institutions and one-man rule. Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – A glossy architectural volume meant to celebrate Albania’s transformation has unexpectedly become one of the most revealing …
Reinier de Graaf’s open letter in The Albanian Files has become a symbol of the troubling relationship between global architecture, political patronage and one-man rule in Albania. The following open letter by Dutch architect Reinier de Graaf, partner at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, has become one of the most controversial passages …
Albania and North Macedonia signed a new agreement to simplify border crossings. The deal introduces a one-stop border control system. It will make travel easier for citizens, businesses, and tourists. Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari announced the agreement after meeting his North Macedonian counterpart, Panče Toškovski, in Dibër. Meanwhile, Lamallari said …
Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed three guests to the latest episode of the Flasim podcast. They discussed architecture, sports, education, and social initiatives. First, architect Setion Branko shared his experience working in Florence, New York, and Albania. He explained how his studio connects Albanian and international architects through joint projects. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a new phase of digital infrastructure development in Albanian cities. The goal is to organize communication networks and gradually remove overhead cables. First, the initiative will shift internet and telecom systems underground. As a result, public spaces will become cleaner and more modern. Rama said …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared details from his recent visits to France and Poland in his podcast Flasim. He highlighted meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and participation in the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Gdańsk. First, in Paris, Rama met President Macron. They discussed Albania’s EU integration process and bilateral …
Albania aims to complete its EU accession negotiations by the end of 2027. Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha confirmed this goal during the Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia. First, Hoxha took part in a panel on the European Union and the Western Balkans. He said EU enlargement remains the strongest driver of …
Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama shares live images from the Benja thermal area in Përmet. He highlights the changes made after recent investments in the tourist destination. He shows the thermal pools and the surrounding infrastructure, including parking areas and rehabilitated roads. These improvements significantly increase access for visitors. …
Albania marks 27 June as the Day of Genocide against the Cham Albanians. The country remembers the events of 27 June 1944, when violence began against the Cham population. Historical accounts state that forces under Greek general Napoleon Zerva led attacks against civilians in the region of Çamëria. The reports …
The United States has donated a special aviation security training kit to Albania’s Civil Aviation Authority. The donation came at the end of a five-day training program organized by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), according to the U.S. Embassy in Tirana. The equipment will help aviation security personnel simulate …