Latest News from Albania
Albanian Mayor Arrested Amid Sex Scandal
Xhelili was arrested on Monday night after being shown on a local television station last week asking for sex from a 20-year-old woman who had recently been employed by the municipality.
Tirana to host NATO's effort to dissuade jihadi hopefuls
According to Albanian Defense Minister Mimi Kodheli, NATO has accepted a proposal to open "a center to help prevent" people from joining terrorist groups.
AP reported on Friday that Kodheli said the proposal was approved "a few days ago" and that it came "at a time when the phenomenon of the foreign terrorist fighters has reached considerable levels."
Greek police disband one of the largest drug cartels
The Greek Police Narcotics units in Attica has arrested 15 people, disbanding one the largest drug trafficking rings in Europe. The criminal organisation, which was based in Albania and operated in Greece and 5 other European countries, smuggled 700 kilos of Indian cannabis into Greece with speedboats and hid it on the beach of Zakynthos.
Bogovic: Enlargement into Western Balkans is Europe's future
STRASBOURG - Member of the European Parliament (EP) and Vice President of the 'Friends of Serbia' EP group Franc Bogovic Monday expressed the hope that current candidates for membership in the European Union - Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo - would all be admitted to the European family by the end of 2020.
Nearly 1,700 foreigners expelled from Greece
Nearly 1,700 migrants were returned to their countries of origin in the month of April following a nation-wide operation conducted by the Greek police. The vast majority of the illegal migrants came from Albania (852), while 157 came from Pakistan, 107 from Morocco, 61 from Iran, 51 from Georgia, 45 from Afghanistan, 29 from Bangladesh and 16 from Bulgaria.
US, EU Warn Albania Against Judicial Reform Delay
The US and EU ambassadors to Tirana delivered an ultimatum to the leaders of Albania's political parties on Wednesday, demanding quick approval of the constitutional changes needed to enable an overhaul of the country's corruption-riddled justice system.
Balkan Governments Urged to Boost Business Cooperation
Regional cooperation is key to attracting more foreign investment money into the Balkans, stressed participants at the seventh Sarajevo Business Forum in the Bosnian capital on Wednesday.
"There is no country which is able to stand alone, especially in our region," Montenegro's economy minister Vladimir Kavaric told the forum.
Albania Jails Nine Jihadi Recruiters
The First Instance Court of Serious Crimes in Tirana found the nine men guilty on Tuesday evening of recruiting some 70 Albanians to fight in the conflict in Syria.
They were convicted of "inciting terrorism" and "recruiting people to carry out terrorist acts".
Chinese Investments Raise Eyebrows in Albania
Business ties between Albania and China are strengthening as Chinese companies acquire players in strategic sectors of the Albanian economy.
In addition, China emerged as the second-largest trading partner for Albania during March, accounting for 7.7 per cent of the country's total international trade, leaving behind traditional trading partners like Greece and Turkey.
Turkey's first electric car finalizes Balkan tour
Turkey's first electric car, the Pehlivan Elektrak developed by Trakya University, has returned to the country after a two-week trip around the Balkan Peninsula.
The fiber carbon car visited Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 14-day tour.
MP Facing Corruption Charges Surrenders to Kosovo Police
Azem Syla, a prominent legislator of the governing Democratic Party of Kosovo, charged on Wednesday in an investigation into an alleged land scam, surrendered to the EU law mission, EULEX, and to Kosovo police on Friday morning.
Syla's defence lawyer Tome Gashi confirmed on Friday that his client had handed himself in to the police.
Bulgaria, Romania 'Not Closing In on Rest of EU'
Bulgaria's environment has deteriorated in terms of democracy and governance over the past year, lagging behind Romania and remaining last in the EU, an annual index comparing EU members and accession countries shows.
Kosovo Cracks Down on Property Usurpers
Police in Kosovo arrested six people as part of an investigation into an alleged land scam that cost the state 30 million euros, the prosecution office said on Wednesday.
Azem Syla, a prominent legislator from the ruling party, was the alleged leader of the fraud which is believed to have involved 40 people, the EU police mission in Kosovo said.
High class prostitution ring busted! Well known manager involved
Greek police have smashed a high class prostitution ring operating in Greece and abroad after an ongoing investigation. Authorities arrested 17 members of the network on April 23, six of whom were Greek nationals and the other 11 foreigners. One of the 17 arrested was a 50-year old Greek who is reportedly the illicit organisation.
Balkan Press Liberty Declining, Freedom House Says
A new report by the US-based watchdog Freedom House, published on Wednesday, raises fresh concerns about the state of the media in the Balkans.
The report says media freedom is declining in the Balkans generally, where the press is described as only as "Partly Free", while media in Macedonia are described as "Not Free".