A 48 year man sentenced with 9 years in prison is arrested in Fier
Altin Stopani alias Erion Veliu, from Fieri, has been arrested by the police for the purpose of extradition. It is learned that the 48-year-old man was sentenced in Italy to 9 years in prison for participating in a criminal organization, illegal possession of weapons, drug trafficking and exploitation for prostitution. …
The execution of Edmond Papa, who is the 45-year-old arrested as an accomplice in the murder
This Wednesday, Andrew Bode, wanted for the murder of Edmond Papa on December 16 in the Selita area of Tirana, was captured by the police. The 44-year-old, originally from Berat, was previously known as Edvin Bode, but due to problems with justice, he changed it a few years ago. He …
President Begaj meets with the Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia
President Bajram Begaj received the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of North Macedonia, Izet Mejhiti, in a meeting this Wednesday. During the conversation, the cooperation so far was evaluated and the need for deepening the relations between Albania and North Macedonia …
How Would Europe Look Today Without Albania?
by Lutfi Dervishi In a continent teetering on the brink of demographic catastrophe, Albania, which is often bearing more weight than its knees can handle—a burden that should have been carried by the great powers—is emerging as a humanitarian superpower. While the EU has been grappling for decades with an …
Exhibition Shows How Communist Albania Spied on Foreign Tourists
In a private house in the port city of Durres, two local professors have put together an exhibition looking at how the Communist-era Sigurimi secret service kept its eyes on tourists daring to visit Europe’s most isolated country. Original post Here
Labour inspection monitors “Kurum”/ Experts go to the premises of the Turkish company
The working group, set up by the State Labor inception, arrives near the premises of “Kurum”, which will be familiar with the documentation and conditions of the employees who have left their jobs. “There will be verification with the departure of the employees as it has been confirmed that he …
Albania is officially the country of honor of tourism fair in Berlin
Albania has received an invitation to be the Country of Honor at the Fair Center in Berlin. The news was announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama, as he considers this as an extraordinary promotion of the country. Rama has met with the boss of the Berlin Fair Center Mario Tobias …
The Assembly meets on September 12 for Xhaçka/ The Council of Legislation reviewed the decision of the Constitution
The Council of Legislation has decided that the decision of the Constitutional Court for Olta Xhaçka will be discussed in the session of September 12. “In the session of September 12, the consideration of the constitutional court will also be part of the agenda,” declared Dhurata Çupi. The decision to …
“Next year we will open the consulate in Durres”, Fajon: Slovenia supporting Albania towards EU
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon, warned in the conference and the joint statement with Minister Hasani in Tirana, that next year, the Slovenian consulate will be opened in Durres. While praising the cooperation between the two countries, Fajon said …
Man condemned with 25 years in jail for murder dies at hospital
Fotaq Zaharia, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder, passed away at QSUT. The 64-year-old man died in the early hours of Monday in the intensive care unit of QSUT, where he was diagnosed with respiratory insufficiency and was being treated since August 16. The convict was …
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