Ammunition and cocaine, police arrested a 31 year old
A 31-year-old man ended up in police custody this Wednesday in Tirana. According to the police report, quantities of cocaine and military ammunition were found and seized from the young man. “Specialists of the Narcotics Investigation Sector arrested the 31-year-old citizen, a resident of Tirana, after during the physical check, …
Bayraktar” drones will soon be ready 24/7 even for emergencies
After the successful test for night missions, the “Bayraktar” drones will soon switch to monitoring function 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as an important supporting element alongside the local authorities in the battle against fires. Defense Minister Pirro Vengu, accompanied by Air Force Commander Brigadier General Ferdinand …
Socialists take Himara mayor’s seat amid complaints of election irregularities
TIRANA, Aug. 6, 2024 – Vangjel Tavo, the Socialist Party candidate, won the race for mayor of Himara in by-elections held on Sunday, defeating his rival Petraq Gjikuria of the opposition coalition by about 1,500 votes. According to official data from the Central Election Commission, after counting votes from 36 …
Analysis: Himara by-election raises concerns over 2025 national vote, relations with Greece
TIRANA, Aug. 6, 2024 – Vangjel Tavo, the Socialist Party candidate, won the race for mayor of Himara in by-elections held on Sunday, defeating his rival Petraq Gjikuria of the opposition coalition by about 1,500 votes. The results mark a significant shift in support in the municipality favor of Albania’s …
High flow in the port of Durres, in five days has entered 25 thousand passengers
This week has marked a high flow of passengers entering the border point of the Port of Durres. Over 25,000 passengers arriving on the Durres-Bari ferries have entered through this border point. According to the statistics of the Border Police, in the last five days, 1800 vehicles have entered Albania. …
Crime Couriers: How Albanian Gangs Send Their Illegal Profits Back Home
Police investigations reveal that organised crime groups often use ordinary people and passenger transport agencies to smuggle their illegal profits from EU countries and elsewhere back into Albania. Original post Here
Tragedy in Saranda/ Man kills his wife with an ax
A serious incident happened in the early hours of the morning in the village of Shale, Konispol. According to Saranda police, it is suspected that during a conflict for weak motives in the apartment, 69-year-old Hyso Islami allegedly killed his 66-year-old wife Shano Islami with an ax. According to the …
Murder and selling narcotics, a 30 year old man arrested in Tirana
A 30-year-old man was arrested by the Tirana police, after he was wanted for attempted murder, and also had a criminal record and high social risk. At the time of the arrest, the 30-year-old Gabriele Peqini was moving armed and with forged identification tools and was also in possession of …
In Albania’s Himara, Property Rights More Important Than Greek Diplomatic Row
Last year’s mayoral elections in the southern coastal town led to a diplomatic dispute with Greece. Now, after locals elected a new mayor, they want him to get on with solving their problems with property registration. Original post Here
Albania Ruling Party Candidate Wins Himara Local Elections
Candidate of PM Edi Rama’s ruling Socialists wins mayoral election in town whose former mayor-elect’s jailing has caused diplomatic tension betwen Albania and Greece. Original post Here
Tirana police came to the aid of two German tourists who lost their way in the mountains behind Mount Dajti on Sunday evening. Police learned at around 20:15 that the two tourists needed help near Qafë Mollë. Officers from Police Station No. 4 immediately began searching for them. The officers …
The fourth round of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore ended on Sunday with AF Elbasani beating Egnatia 2-1 at Elbasan Arena. Earlier on Sunday, Laçi defeated Vllaznia 2-0 at home. On Friday, Skënderbeu and Tirana drew 1-1 in Korça. Meanwhile, Dinamo City beat Partizani 4-2 in another Tirana derby on Saturday. Teuta …
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met Pierre Sentenac, the new head of the Regional Economic Department at the French Embassy, at the central bank. Sejko highlighted Albania’s close relations with France and described France as an important European partner. Sejko briefed Sentenac on recent economic and financial developments in …
The 21st International Human Rights Film Festival opens in Tirana on September 14 and runs through September 19. The Academy of Film and Multimedia “Marubi” organises the festival. This year’s programme focuses on war, peace, the rule of law and the memory of victims. Over six days, the festival will …
Revenues from managing and renting confiscated property reached ALL 180 million in the first eight months of 2026, according to Risena Xhaja, head of Albania’s Agency for the Administration of Confiscated Assets. Xhaja presented the figures during a hearing with the Committee on Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight. She …
Albanian director and researcher Ilir Yzeiri has won the Best Documentary Director award at the Venice International Film Festival. He received the award for his documentary “Lucia Nadin and Albanians in Venice 1474–1552”. The documentary previously earned selection by the Veneto Region for the festival’s 83rd edition. Italian company Cinemaset, …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
The Hague will deliver its verdict on September 16 in the trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four have pleaded not guilty. The case has attracted significant attention in Kosova because of the defendants’ prominent roles during the 1998-1999 …
Albania ranks among the 10 most preferred destinations outside the European Union for EU residents, according to Eurostat data. The Agency for Media and Information cited Eurostat figures showing around 2 million trips to Albania that included at least one overnight stay. These trips accounted for 2% of all journeys …
Deputy Defence Minister Blerina Abrazhda says Albania needs time to build its defence industry and develop the infrastructure, technology and skilled workforce required for production. She made the remarks in response to opposition criticism of the sector’s initial industrial projects. Abrazhda said Albania should assess early projects not only by …