Ilir Beqaj, high Socialist official mired in corruption investigations, arrested for abuse of EU funds 

Ilir Beqaj, high Socialist official mired in corruption investigations, arrested for abuse of EU funds 

TIRANA, July 4, 2024 – Ilir Beqaj, Albania’s former minister of health who has a history of holding important position in the ruling Socialist Party, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of involvement in a corruption scheme to profit from funds

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Albania’s population shrank by 429,000,  census results show

Albania’s population shrank by 429,000,  census results show

TIRANA, June 28, 2024 – Albania’s population shrank by almost 14 percent in 12 years, losing about 429,000 residents, according to the country’s official 2023 census, the results of which were just released.  The census conductor, the Institute of Statistics

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With court recognition of Berisha-led DP, main opposition party shows signs of unity 

With court recognition of Berisha-led DP, main opposition party shows signs of unity 

TIRANA, June 25, 2024 – Ending years of turmoil, a court has placed Albania’s main opposition Democratic Party officially under the control of the faction that has the most support among voters.  The decision means the state-recognized seal and funding

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Property prices on Albanian coast soar, partially driven by foreign buyers 

Property prices on Albanian coast soar, partially driven by foreign buyers 

TIRANA, May 29, 2024 – Demand for coastal properties in Albania has surged by 20-30 percent compared to last year, according to the Albanian Builders Association.  Key areas like Vlora, Palasa and Saranda are particularly popular, with 40 percent of

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Credit collections scheme leads to arrests, license suspensions 

Credit collections scheme leads to arrests, license suspensions 

TIRANA, May 26, 2024 – An Albanian court has ordered the arrest of several individuals in connection with a credit collections scheme that allegedly defrauded thousands of citizens. According to the prosecution, a non-banking lender and collection enforcement companies orchestrated

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Strengthening rule of law and democracy key to Albania’s EU bid, EU ambassador says 

Strengthening rule of law and democracy key to Albania’s EU bid, EU ambassador says 

TIRANA, May 9, 2024 – As Albania and the European Union marked Europe Week, the head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Silvio Gonzato says the fight against corruption and organized crime is essential for Albania’s progress towards

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Analysis: Albania’s parliament undermines Constitutional Court in Xhaçka ruling

Analysis: Albania’s parliament undermines Constitutional Court in Xhaçka ruling

Albania’s parliament, under the control of the Socialist Party, has overturned a decision made by the Constitutional Court that would see to the expulsion of MP Olta Xhaçka from parliament. Xhaçka is a former Minister of Foreign Affairs as well

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Tirana mayor summoned by special prosecutors in corruption probe

Tirana mayor summoned by special prosecutors in corruption probe

TIRANA, Apr. 30, 2024 – Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj was summoned on Tuesday to the office of Albania’s Special Prosecutors for Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK) as part of its investigation into corruption related to the construction of the Tirana

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Unprecedented corruption arrests sweep shakes up Tirana mayor’s leadership

Unprecedented corruption arrests sweep shakes up Tirana mayor’s leadership

TIRANA, April 8, 2024 – When Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj returned to work last week after a short stay in hospital for a surgical procedure, he faced a nasty surprise: Most of his top management team at city hall had

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Deadly crash near Albanian-Greek border puts spotlight on Balkan irregular migration route 

Deadly crash near Albanian-Greek border puts spotlight on Balkan irregular migration route 

TIRANA, April 2, 2024 – Eight people died in the early hours of Tuesday in southern Albania, near the Greek border, as an Albanian driver speed up and fell into a ravine trying to avoid a police checkpoint because he

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