Albania ranks 17th in Europe for most internationally wanted fugitives

Albania has 1,560 individuals listed as internationally wanted by Interpol Tirana, placing the country 17th in Europe in terms of the number of fugitives pursued across borders.

Why is this important: The high number of internationally wanted Albanians reflects persistent challenges with organized crime, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses. It also highlights ongoing efforts by Albania’s law enforcement to deepen cooperation with international partners.

Context: According to the Albanian State Police, the majority of those wanted are individuals convicted of drug trafficking, theft, or involvement in criminal organizations.
Interpol Tirana has identified the countries where Albanian fugitives most frequently seek shelter, although specifics were not disclosed publicly.

In the first three months of 2025 alone, 20 individuals were extradited back to Albania, while dozens more remain in the process of extradition.
Notably, Albanian authorities emphasized that the lack of a bilateral extradition treaty does not necessarily impede extraditions, provided the requested country is a member of Interpol.

“Membership in Interpol allows cooperation even with countries where no formal extradition treaty exists,” explained the Director of Interpol Tirana.

One of the biggest ongoing challenges involves fugitives hiding in the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai.

The Director noted that in recent years, the UAE has become a favored refuge for high-profile criminal figures, complicating Albania’s efforts to secure extraditions despite repeated formal requests.

What’s next: Albanian authorities aim to strengthen international cooperation through Interpol frameworks and diplomatic channels, focusing particularly on regions like the UAE, where organized crime figures have increasingly concentrated.

Efforts are expected to intensify in the coming months to secure the extradition of major crime figures and reduce Albania’s fugitive list.