Declared internationally wanted, two Albanians are arrested in Spain and Italy
Two Albanians, declared internationally wanted, have been arrested in Spain and Italy. In Spain, a 29-year-old man was arrested as part of the police operation, “The Zone”. For this citizen, the Court of Shkodra has assigned the security measure “Arrest in prison”, for the criminal offenses “Cultivation of narcotic plants” …
“Gerdeci”/ The hearing session for the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu is postponed again
The hearing for the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, regarding the “Gërdeci” case has been postponed. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that the reason for the postponement of the session was the absence of one of the experts. Mediu did not appear at the session either, but through …
Two engineers arrested after 2 people were injured during work
Two people, 26 and 39 years old, have been arrested by the Tirana police for the criminal offense “Violation of the rules of protection at work”. According to the police, their arrest comes after two workers fell from a height on Monday in Kamez, in an object being built by …
Arrested by SPAK, Erzen Brecani under house arrest
The security measure for Erzen Breçani has changed. This Tuesday, the Appeal of the Special Court decided that Brecani should be released from the cell and imposed the security measure of “house arrest” on him. “Brecani is suspected to have been aware of the criminal activity. The measure “arrest in …
SPAK starts investigations for “January 21”
SPAK has officially launched the investigation into the January 21 murders. The Special Prosecutor’s Office announces that the proceedings have been registered for the criminal offenses “Murder in other qualifying circumstances”, “Abuse of duty”, and “Performing actions that prevent the discovery of the truth”, carried out in cooperation. In the …
Leapfrogging Gas, Western Balkans Can Get Cleaner Air and Save Billions
With significant potential for green energy and limited gas infrastructure, the countries of the Western Balkans have a golden opportunity to skip gas as a transition fuel, savings billions of euros on the way. Original post Here
Albania’s Authorities Allow Jailed Politician Beleri to be Sworn in as MEP
Authorities in Tirana allowed jailed ethnic Greek mayor-elect of Himara, Fredi Beleri, to go to Strasbourg to be sworn in after he won a seat in the European Parliament on behalf of Greece’s ruling party. Original post Here
Failure of the meeting for the regulatory commission of elections in Himara, Socialist Party sues CEC
The Socialist Party has filed a lawsuit against the Central Election Commission (CEC). ABC News journalist Fjona Xhafaj reports that the lawsuit from the socialists came after the Regulatory Commission in the CEC did not approve some procedural deadlines for the partial elections in Himara that will be held on …
Altin Dumani present the SPAK report to the deputies
Monday’s plenary session will focus on justice institutions. The agenda includes the reports of the General Prosecutor’s Office, SPAK, ILD, KLGJ and KLP, with the presence of their leaders. “Olsian Çela will start reporting and then Altin Dumani. This of course comes at a time when SPAK has important issues …
The law for arms trade/ Minister Tabaku: It is changing twice in a few months
The Parliament has approved the request of the Council of Ministers to pass with an accelerated procedure a draft law on weapons and ammunition. This caused debates from the opposition, where MP Jorida Tabaku said that the law is changing twice in a few months at the request of an …
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …
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 Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here
Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …
Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here
Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …
Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here