Latest News from Albania
Beleri alleges political expediency behind judicial delays
Fredi Beleri, the mayor-elect of Himare, in southern Albania, currently held in detention pending trial on corruption charges, has accused judicial authorities of intentionally delaying the case for political convenience.
Serbian MPs approve FTA with China, W Balkan agreement on food security
BELGRADE - Serbian MPs on Thursday approved several agreements, including a FTA with China and an agreement on food security mechanisms in the Western Balkans.
The FTA with China pertains to 10,412 Serbian products and 8,930 Chinese products.
Beleri case upsets Albania political scene
The case of Fredi Beleri, the ethnic Greek elected mayor of Himare, in southern Albania, who is being tried by a special court on charges of corruption, is stoking tensions on the domestic political scene.
Spain seizes ancient gold jewelry stolen from Ukraine
Spanish police said on Oct. 23 they have seized centuries-old gold artefacts worth over 60 million euros ($64 million) that were stolen and taken out of Ukraine illegally.
The 11 pieces, including necklaces, bracelets and earrings, were displayed at a Kiev museum between 2009 and 2013, and were smuggled out of Ukraine before 2016, police said in a statement.
Brnabic: I do not know why Rama called for sanctions against Serbia
TIRANA - Serbian PM Ana Brnabic said in Tirana on Monday she did not know why Albanian PM Edi Rama had called for imposing sanctions against Serbia, and noted the move was not in line with good-neighbourly relations or the Open Balkan initiative.
Dacic holds several meetings in New York, attends sustainable development summit
NEW YORK - Serbian First Deputy PM and FM Ivica Dacic began a visit to New York on Monday with meetings with Western Balkan FMs and attended the opening of a summit on sustainable development goals.
Crypto boss sentenced to over 11,000 years
Faruk Fatih Özer, the former head of the crypto exchange platform Thodex, has been handed a sentence of 11,196 years in prison by a Turkish court for a litany of charges, including fraud.
The court also imposed a substantial judicial fine of 135 million Turkish Liras, equivalent to approximately $5 million.
‘What law dictates that I cannot be sworn in?’
In a double appeal for his release, Fredi Beleri, the ethnic Greek who was elected mayor of Himare in southern Albania in the municipal elections of May 14, addresses the judicial institutions as well as the prime minister of Albania, Edi Rama.
The uninvited
The uninvited always miss out. At the recent gathering of Balkan leaders and European officials in Athens, the one who missed out was the one who wasn't in the photo.
Rama made a purge in his cabinet
Among others, he dismissed the head of diplomacy, Olta Xhacka, the Albanian Post reports.
Rama asked the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, to pass a decree on this matter, and it was announced that he will present the changes to Begaj today.
Olta Daka will no longer be the Minister of European and Foreign Affairs and Igli Hasani will be appointed to that position.
Signage pointing to a nonexistent country
Last Saturday, on the shores of Mikri (Little) Prespa Lake, situated on Greece's northwestern border with Albania, a multitude of people celebrated well into the early hours of the morning.
Evros fire enters 15th day
For the 15th consecutive day, firefighters are continuing to battle the wildfires in the northeastern prefecture of Evros, with the focus of their efforts on the areas around the towns and villages of Soufli, Kornofolia, Dadia, Kotronia, Sidiro and Giannouli.
Rejuvenating a vision
The recent gathering of Western Balkan leaders along with top European Union officials in Athens, following an invitation from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (on the 20th anniversary of a summit between the EU and Western Balkan countries in the northern port city of Thessaloniki) was naturally overshadowed by the previously unannounced presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelens
Architects lose 30,000 euros to Balkans tour scam
The owner of a tour company with its headquarters in İzmir is accused of defrauding 61 members of the Chamber of Architects branch in Denizli province of roughly 30,000 euros after signing a contract for a Balkans trip.
In April 2023, the chamber which organized a Balkans tour for its members met with Emine Yıldız, the owner of an Izmir-based tour company for the trip.
Rama says justice to rule on Beleri and that he treasures minority
The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview on Greek state media ERT broadcasted on Wednesday discussing Greek-Albanian relations, and the detention of the elected ethnic Greek mayor of the Albanian region Himare, Fredi Beleri. Beleri was arrested by Albanian police special forces over charges of vote buying.