Cooperation against crime with Montenegro, more than 11 thousand cannabis roots are destroyed
The operation “Bjeshket”, carried out in cooperation with the Albanian police and the police of Montenegro, is finalized. The director of the Shkodra Police, Edmond Sulaj, in a communication to the media, emphasized that hundreds of thousands of cannabis plants were destroyed by this operation. Accordingly, during this action, 11,358 …
Qatar Square to serve as Tirana’s newest hub and vital part of New Boulevard project
TIRANA, July 24, 2024 – The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a grant agreement with the Municipality of Tirana to establish Qatar Square, a significant development in the heart of Albania’s capital. The €11 million project, to be built on 23,700 square meters, aims to transform the end …
Accused of bribery of 25,000 to influence the judges, SPAK closes investigations for lawyer Petraq Semani
The Special Prosecutor’s Office has closed the investigations and submitted the file of lawyer Petraq Semani for trial. The investigation showed that Petraq Semani, as the legal defender of the citizen Llazar Dine, asked the citizens Llazar Dine and Sidorela Dine for the monetary amount of 25,000 Euros, after he …
Money laundering/ General Prosecutor’s Office charges against an Albanian and three foreigners
Illegal money laundering scheme in Spain revealed. The Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana has completed the investigations and is charging an Albanian citizen and three foreigners. It is about the Albanian citizen Jozefina Gjoni, and the three foreign citizens Saverio Ciampi, Claudio Cuchi and Manrico Erriu. From the investigations carried out …
A 33-year-old man arrested for drug trafficking from Italy
A 33-year-old man declared internationally wanted by Italy was arrested this Thursday morning in Fier. The young man is accused of participating in a structured criminal group for drug trafficking. His arrest was made with the purpose of extradition to Italy. “The services of the Fier Police Station, following the …
Promised Land: Hope and Illusion Characterise Kosovo’s Love Affair with Albania
During the turbulent 20th Century, many Kosovo Albanians looked at Albania as a land of hope and promise. Then they visited. Original post Here
Balkan Countries Eye Potential Medals at Paris Olympics
As Balkan teams descend on Paris for the 2024 summer Olympics, their countries are pinning their highest hopes of success on those sports in which they have traditionally excelled. Original post Here
Ongoing heatwave negatively impacting Albania, region
TIRANA, July 24, 2024 – A scorching heatwave has gripped Albania and southern Europe this month, affecting daily life and businesses across the country. Health concerns for the most vulnerable, a series of wildfires, and slow business in the services sector during the hot daytime hours are some of the …
Two arrested for sexual abuse with a minor
The police of Maliqi have arrested a 41-year-old and a 26-year-old, as they are accused of sexually abusing a minor for several months. It was the girl who accepted this event near the blue uniforms, after her mother filed a complaint at the police station. The two arrested are in …
Fight against money laundering/ Balluku: It is important to strengthen the partnership with the private sector
Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in the development meeting for the fight against money laundering, emphasized that it is very important to strengthen the partnership with the private sector. He also underlined that it is very important to fulfill obligations and raise standards for the fight against money laundering. “It …
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