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Turkish man accused of ‘participation in murder’ arrested in Tirana

A 48-year-old Turkish man was arrested in Tirana as part of the police operation codenamed “Istanbul”, as reported this Sunday. Hasan Ozcan was declared internationally wanted, after the Court of Serious Crimes in Istanbul, Anatolia, Turkey, sentenced him to 3 years and 28 days in prison. Ozcan is accused of …

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New details on Peqin prison handgun killing

ABC News has provided footage of the police inspection of the apartment where Sokol Mjacaj used to live in Prekal, Shkodra. The conditions in this apartment, as it seems from the images provided by journalist Ervin Leka, are in a bad state, while it is said that his father lived …

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Duty abuse, SPAK seeks 3.6 years in prison for former Mayor of Bulqiza

Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has announced this Friday the claim against the former mayor of Bulqiza, Lefter Alla, seeking 3.6 years in prison. SPAK demands 4 years of imprisonment for Erion Isak and Rasim Daci (2.8 years with a shortened trial), 3 years in prison for …

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Two Albanians busted with 54 Kg of drugs in Greece

54 kilos of marijuana that were being transported from Albania to Greece, have been caught in Thessaloniki. For the quantity of drugsz the 49-year-old driver of the vehicle and the 58-year-old van driver, both Albanians, were arrested. During checks inside the vehicle, the officers found 4 plastic canisters containing 20 …

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Socialist Party seeks exclusion of three opposition MPs from Parliament’s proceedings

Socialist Party (SP) has requested to exclude three opposition MPs from the work of the Assembly for ten days, as revealed this Friday. This request is related to yesterday’s episodes in the Parliament, where some MPs became protagonists in the hall by throwing lighters and cigarette lighters. It is about …

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Peqin prison inmate dies after altercation with another person

A fight between convicts was reported today in the prison of Peqin, were involved are Sokol Mjacaj, Arben Lleshi and Lir Xhakja. ABC learns that the convict Arben Lleshi has lost his life, after being shot with a firearm. In the meantime, the authorities have immediately started the investigative work …

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Reflecting higher emigration, remittances to Albania hit decade high

TIRANA, Dec. 14, 2023 – Reflecting renewed emigration, remittances to Albania during 2022 saw a significant increase, reaching the highest levels of the past decade, data released by Eurostat this week reveals. According to Eurostat, remittances exceeded €1.2 billion in 2022, a 5.8% increase compared to 2021.  This high value …

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Albanian Constitutional Court suspends approval of Rama-Meloni agreement

TIRANA, Dec. 14, 2023 – Albania’s Constitutional Court has suspended the approval process for the contentious deal with Italy to establish a third-country migrant processing camp in Albania under Italian jurisdiction. The court has instructed parliament not to proceed with the vote on ratifying the deal until the court makes …

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Gerdec File, Special Court to hold hearing on former Minister Mediu

The hearing on the Gerdec case will take place this Thursday.  It is learned that the former Minister of Defense has appeared before the GJKKO. Journalist Ermal Vija told ABC that several people are also expected to testify, including Shkelzen Berisha and Aldo Bumçi. /abcnews.al […] Read More… Original post …

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Democrat accuses guard of not allowing MPs to enter Parliament

Opposition MPs clashed this Thursday with the Republican Guard officers while trying to enter the Parliament hall. During the tensions, the head of the democratic parliamentary group, Gazment Bardhi, has emphasized that it is the guards who are not allowing the MPs to enter the session. Situation is tense today, …

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Clashes Escalate in Tirana as Protesters Set Kiosks Ablaze

Masked protesters continued to clash with police in Tirana on Thursday. They damaged public spaces and private businesses as unrest spread across the capital. After vandalizing businesses on Elbasan Street, masked youths set a kiosk ablaze on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard. Flames engulfed the structure and sent thick smoke into …

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Begaj: Violence Is Not the Answer; Albania Needs Calm, Responsibility and Dialogue

President Bajram Begaj has called on citizens and all parties involved in the recent protests to reject violence and prioritize dialogue. He stressed that Albania needs calm, responsibility and cooperation. In a message to the public, Begaj said he had followed both the protesters’ demands and the acts of violence …

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OSCE Ready to Facilitate Dialogue in Albania

The OSCE Presence in Albania has welcomed President Bajram Begaj’s call for calm and inclusive dialogue amid the recent unrest. It has also offered to help facilitate talks if the parties request its support. In a statement, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) joined the President’s appeal …

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Student Protests: EU Delegation Urges Young People to Avoid All Acts of Violence

The EU Delegation in Tirana issued a statement on Thursday regarding the student protests, condemning the escalation of violence and damage to property. In its statement, the delegation called on protesters to refrain from violence. According to the EU, constructive dialogue among all parties is the only way forward to …

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Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro Reacts to Student and High School Protests

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro has responded following three days of protests by university and high school students, calling on parents, teachers, and the wider community to work together to ensure the safety of young people and prevent the situation from escalating. In a message addressed to parents, pupils, and university …

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Tirana Chamber of Commerce: Businesses Must Not Become Targets of Political Tensions

The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reacted to acts of violence and damage to public and private property during protests in the capital, condemning attacks on institutions, banks, shopping centers, and business premises. In its statement, the Chamber emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental right in a …

News
Businesses Take Precautions Amid Protests, Shops Seen Installing Security Shutters

Student protests continue to escalate in the capital. In the former Blloku area, private businesses have begun taking protective measures, installing security shutters and reinforcing their commercial premises. These security measures follow incidents reported in recent hours, during which some young protesters attacked and damaged private property, as well as …

News
Albania’s Police Chief Reports 71 Officers Injured During Three Days of Protests in Tirana

The General Director of the State Police, Skënder Hita, said during a press conference at the State Police General Directorate that 71 police officers had been injured in acts of violence over the three days of protests in Tirana. Hita called on parents and teachers not to allow children and …

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Health Ministry: 14 Injured During Protests, Police Officers and Protesters Still Receiving Medical Treatment

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has provided the latest update on the condition of those injured during the protests. According to the official statement, a total of 14 injured people were admitted to the University Trauma Hospital, including eight police officers, four protesters and two minors. Four police …

News
Socialist Party Reacts to Protests: Albanians Will Not Be Hostages to the Past

The Socialist Party of Albania has reacted to the escalating situation surrounding the protests in Tirana through a post on social media. In its statement, the Socialist Party emphasized that Albanians will not be held hostage by the past. The post was accompanied by a video showing clashes between protesters …

News

Clashes Escalate in Tirana as Protesters Set Kiosks Ablaze

Masked protesters continued to clash with police in Tirana on Thursday. They damaged public spaces and private businesses as unrest spread across the capital. After vandalizing businesses on Elbasan Street, masked youths set a kiosk ablaze on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard. Flames engulfed the structure and sent thick smoke into …

News

Begaj: Violence Is Not the Answer; Albania Needs Calm, Responsibility and Dialogue

President Bajram Begaj has called on citizens and all parties involved in the recent protests to reject violence and prioritize dialogue. He stressed that Albania needs calm, responsibility and cooperation. In a message to the public, Begaj said he had followed both the protesters’ demands and the acts of violence …

News

OSCE Ready to Facilitate Dialogue in Albania

The OSCE Presence in Albania has welcomed President Bajram Begaj’s call for calm and inclusive dialogue amid the recent unrest. It has also offered to help facilitate talks if the parties request its support. In a statement, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) joined the President’s appeal …

News

Student Protests: EU Delegation Urges Young People to Avoid All Acts of Violence

The EU Delegation in Tirana issued a statement on Thursday regarding the student protests, condemning the escalation of violence and damage to property. In its statement, the delegation called on protesters to refrain from violence. According to the EU, constructive dialogue among all parties is the only way forward to …

News

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro Reacts to Student and High School Protests

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro has responded following three days of protests by university and high school students, calling on parents, teachers, and the wider community to work together to ensure the safety of young people and prevent the situation from escalating. In a message addressed to parents, pupils, and university …

News

Tirana Chamber of Commerce: Businesses Must Not Become Targets of Political Tensions

The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reacted to acts of violence and damage to public and private property during protests in the capital, condemning attacks on institutions, banks, shopping centers, and business premises. In its statement, the Chamber emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental right in a …

News

Businesses Take Precautions Amid Protests, Shops Seen Installing Security Shutters

Student protests continue to escalate in the capital. In the former Blloku area, private businesses have begun taking protective measures, installing security shutters and reinforcing their commercial premises. These security measures follow incidents reported in recent hours, during which some young protesters attacked and damaged private property, as well as …

News

Albania’s Police Chief Reports 71 Officers Injured During Three Days of Protests in Tirana

The General Director of the State Police, Skënder Hita, said during a press conference at the State Police General Directorate that 71 police officers had been injured in acts of violence over the three days of protests in Tirana. Hita called on parents and teachers not to allow children and …

News

Health Ministry: 14 Injured During Protests, Police Officers and Protesters Still Receiving Medical Treatment

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has provided the latest update on the condition of those injured during the protests. According to the official statement, a total of 14 injured people were admitted to the University Trauma Hospital, including eight police officers, four protesters and two minors. Four police …

News

Socialist Party Reacts to Protests: Albanians Will Not Be Hostages to the Past

The Socialist Party of Albania has reacted to the escalating situation surrounding the protests in Tirana through a post on social media. In its statement, the Socialist Party emphasized that Albanians will not be held hostage by the past. The post was accompanied by a video showing clashes between protesters …