Assassination attempt against former prosecutor Arjan Ndoj/ SPAK requires 30 years in prison for 5 defendants
On Tuesday, the special prosecution requested a sentence of 30 years in prison in total for the 5 people accused of the assassination attempt of former prosecutor Arjan Ndoja and his friend Pëllumb Muharremi in November 2019. The attack took place near the Sukthi overpass on the Tirana Durres highway, …
Rama: Competition for the construction of new buildings for the administration
In Albania, the international competition for the development of the first two projects of the Albanian Investment Corporation is being held. There are 10 prestigious studios in the competition, which will present to the international jury the project ideas for 4 new developments, which will pave the way for a …
Albanian drug trafficker arrested in Madrid, declared wanted since 2014 by Europol
A 58-year-old Albanian, Haredin Fejzulla, who was wanted for drug trafficking since 2014, was arrested in Madrid. According to foreign authorities, he was sentenced to 29 years in prison in Belgium for 13 charges of drug trafficking, criminal organization and document forgery. The police in Madrid have also published footage …
Rama gathers political leaders and socialist mayors, focusing on the elections and the vote of the Diaspora
The Prime Minister of the country and at the same time the chairman of the Socialist Party Edi Rama will hold a meeting this Tuesday with political leaders and socialist mayors. Abc News learns that the meeting between them will be held at the “Palace of Congresses” at 14:00, while …
Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania Among World’s Worst in Household Waste Disposal – Report
New report lists three Balkan states among the ten countries worldwide where fewest people separate their household waste, causing problems for the environment and risks to health – with a lack of awareness largely to blame. Original post Here
Digital Rights Review: August Marked by Online Bans and Pressure on Protesters
A fraudster’s attempts to deter online reports about him failed again, while BIRN’s monitoring of digital rights violations over the past month exposed shadowbanning by social media companies as well as government bans on platforms and content. Original post Here
Parliament’s disregard for Constitutional Court on Xhacka sparks local condemnations, EU, U.S. concerns
TIRANA, Sept. 14, 2024 – In a move that has raised major concerns among locals and the international community, the ruling Socialist Party in Albania’s parliament has again blocked the Constitutional Court from reviewing the mandate of former foreign minister and current MP Olta Xhaçka. The decision has been sharply …
Drugs near schools and nightclubs, 24 arrested
24 people have been arrested from Tirana police as part of the anti-drug operation “Temple 4”. Tirana police director Tonin Vocaj said that the group was distributing cocaine, marijuana and synthetic drugs near schools and nightclubs in different areas of the capital. 9 of them have been arrested before, who …
A 28 year old arrested for smuggling emigrants
A 28-year-old man was caught red-handed transporting some illegal immigrants to Montenegro. The young man was stopped by the border police services, on the road of the village of Vukpalaj, transporting 4 citizens from Afghanistan with the vehicle against payment, with the aim of illegally crossing the border. The vehicle …
Rama: 8.5 million tourists until August visited Albania
About 8.5 million tourists have visited Albania from January to August this year. The figures were published by Prime Minister Edi Rama, who says that these translate into a super promotion for the country. He says that in addition to the increase in the number, the geographical map of where …
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 …
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
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
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
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
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
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 …
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
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
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here