Leonard Duka left in prison by GJKKO
GJKKO left in prison Leonard Duka. Known as one of the characters of the underworld, Leonard Duka was extradited from Belgium to Albania on Friday. It is learned that in the session held behind closed doors, the Duke refused to give any explanation. The head of the clan is accused …
Begaj welcomes the new US chargé d’affaires in Tirana
Not even a week has passed since David Wisner’s departure from the mission in Tirana, the next US envoy arrives in the capital, who will be charged with work at the US embassy. She is Nancy Van Horn, a career diplomat who joined the US Foreign Service in 2007. This …
Albanian Electoral ‘Reform’ Deal Reinforces Main Political Party Chiefs’ Dominance
A deal backed by the ruling party and its main opposition rival to change the electoral code will bolster the two main party leaders’ decades-long stranglehold over Albanian politics, experts warn. Original post Here
Baykar Bayraktar, successfully performed the night flight
For the first time, “Bayraktar” drones have conducted night flights. This type of training aims to train pilots in more difficult conditions, to give operators the opportunity to master the UAV system of these aircraft as well as possible. This training equips pilots with the skills and knowledge needed to …
Gunshots in Shkoder
Gunshots were recorded in the early hours of the morning in Shkodër. According to police sources, around 03.00 am, a person shot in the air in the area of Prek Cali in the Rus neighborhood. Fortunately, there were no injuries, while the police, after the notification and investigations, escorted the …
Arms trafficking to Great Britain, three arrested
The Special Court has set the security measure “arrest in prison” for the 3 people arrested for arms trafficking to Great Britain. In Friday’s session, the court left Abdulla Hoxhaj, Bojken Turtulli and Rifat Avdiaj in prison until the end of the investigation. During the session, they did not give …
Leonard Duka, accused for a murder in Albania extradites from Belgium
Leonard Duka, suspected as the perpetrator of the murder of Santiago Malko, was extradited this Friday by Belgium. The Special Court against Corruption (SPAK) required his extradition since last May when he was arrested un Belgium. Duka required asylum in Belgium, but he was arrested after the exchange of information …
Rama: Tourists, increase by 150 percent
Prime Minister Edi Rama says that free coastline will be guaranteed for vacationers regardless of whether the beaches are private or not. Regarding the tourist season, the head of the government said that there was a 150 percent increase in new tourists compared to years. “About 150 percent is the …
Two arrested in Fier for selling narcotics
Two wanted persons were arrested this Friday in Fier. It is about citizens Adis Caka, 22 years old, this citizen was sentenced by the Court of Appeal of Tirana General Jurisdiction, with 6 years of imprisonment (of which he has 1 year, 11 months and 23 days left to serve), …
Inflow of arrivals in the Port of Durres / About 6 percent more than in July 2023
Inflow of tourists to the Port of Durres. As for the passenger sector, there are 230,000 registered passengers entering and exiting the country through the border point of Durrës, during January-June 2024, where an increase of 6% is reflected in the numbers of foreign citizens in our country. An upward …
TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …
Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here
by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …
In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here
The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here
A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here
TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …
Survey of women who gave birth recently reveals a “pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence” and a widespread dissatisfaction with medical care. Original post Here
Ruling Socialist Party uses its majority in parliament to vote down a prosecution request to lift former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku’s immunity, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here