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Accused of corruption/ GJKKO imposes the measure of ‘house arrest’ for the former judge of Elbasan

The Special Court has set the measure of house arrest for Pajtime Fetahun, arrested for corruption. The session was held separately from the others, while it is learned that the former judge has claimed that she is not aware of any of the accusations of the prosecution. /abcnews.al […] Read …

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After a Trial and Diplomatic Row, Albania’s Himara Again Elects a Mayor

After Fredi Beleri’s arrest last year sparked a row between Albania and Greece, and caretaker mayors became mired in scandal, the southern Albanian municipality is again voting for new mayor – and perhaps for a fresh start. Original post Here

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By Axing Ministers, Albania’s Edi Rama Re-Emphasises His Political Control

After Prime Minister Edi Rama abruptly sacked three key ministers and replaced them with novices, government critics argued that he is further intensifying his grip on his cabinet and the ruling Socialist Party ahead of elections next year. Original post Here

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International arms traffic/SPAK issues 6 arrest warrants.

SPAK has issued 6 arrest warrants in response to an international investigation into arms trafficking. Journalist Ermal Vija reports for ABC News that it is about international arms trafficking and an arsenal of ammunition has been seized. So it is learned that the operation is ongoing. “It is about an …

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A criminal group trafficked firearm from Albania to Britain, police seized an arsenal of weapons

A criminal group that trafficked firearms from Albania to Britain was hit. during the operation, an arsenal of weapons was seized, consisting of 25 firearms, 24 pistols and 1 Kalashnikov), hundreds of cartridges, lasers that are mounted on special weapons and serve for long-range shooting, and optical equipment. Camouflage clothing …

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Tirana, explosion in a construction site

An explosion is reported to have happened during the night in Tirana. The event took place on “Reshit Çollaku” street at a construction site, an explosion was heard, similar to explosives or pyrotechnics. It is learned that there is no material damage and no injuries. The investigative group is continuing …

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KLP suspends the prosecutor of Vlora from office. Aurel Zarka is left in prison

The former head of the Vlora prosecutor’s office, Aurel Zarka, will remain in prison until the end of the investigation. On Wednesday, the special court upheld the measure of arrest in prison in absentia for the magistrate arrested for the charge of active and passive corruption and the exercise of …

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The hearing session for Fredi Beleri is postponed

The session held this Wednesday for Fredi Beler, in the Court of Fier, has been postponed, as the latter has requested freedom on bail. The next session will take place on September 2, at 10:00. The Directorate of Prisons submitted the conduct report for Beleri, while a report from the …

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SPAK/ Arrest warrant for the former judge of Elbasan and members of the Çapja tribe

Orders have been issued for the former judge of Elbasan, Pajtime Fetau. ABC News has learned that arrest warrants have also been issued for members of the Çapja tribe. It is learned that the arrest warrant was issued within the coded operation “Golden Bullet”, where the names of the suspects …

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Under Rama, Albania is Failing on Almost Every Score

Albania has benefited heavily from funds to fight graft and strengthen democracy, yet all it has to show from more than a decade of rule by Edi Rama are high-rise apartment blocks and an exodus of young Albanians. Original post Here

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Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans

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, …

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Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

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

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Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage

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 …

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‘Cruel, Sadistic’: Albanian Communist State’s Killings of Escapees Still Mostly Unpunished

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

News
Major Cocaine Heist Reveals Albanian Links to Swedish Drug Trade

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

News
Iran-Linked Hackers’ Fresh Strike on Albania Highlights Continued Negligence

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

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Week in Review: The Wheel of Fortune

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

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Parliament Blocks Balluku Arrest and Puts Justice on Trial

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 …

News
UN Report Spotlights Mistreatment During Childbirth in Western Balkans

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

News
Albanian Parliament Votes Against Lifting Former Deputy PM’s Immunity

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

News

Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans

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, …

News

Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

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

News

Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage

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 …

News

‘Cruel, Sadistic’: Albanian Communist State’s Killings of Escapees Still Mostly Unpunished

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

News

Major Cocaine Heist Reveals Albanian Links to Swedish Drug Trade

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

News

Iran-Linked Hackers’ Fresh Strike on Albania Highlights Continued Negligence

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

News

Week in Review: The Wheel of Fortune

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

News

Parliament Blocks Balluku Arrest and Puts Justice on Trial

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 …

News

UN Report Spotlights Mistreatment During Childbirth in Western Balkans

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

News

Albanian Parliament Votes Against Lifting Former Deputy PM’s Immunity

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