SPAK
Europol: 28-ton cocaine ring exposes Albanian criminals’ deep global ties
Europol says the drug-trafficking group unmasked last week—credited by SPAK with moving 28 tons of cocaine from Latin America to Europe—demonstrates the “strong connections” Albanian actors maintain with other criminal...
SPAK hits alleged international cocaine network: 16 suspects, raids in four cities
Albania’s Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) struck another alleged international drug-trafficking group, seeking 16 suspects under Special Court warrants. The operation spanned Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan and Lushnjë....
Ilir Meta seeks lighter security measure after SPAK closes investigation
Ilir Meta, leader of the Freedom Party, has asked the Special Court to replace his “arrest in prison” detention with a more lenient measure. Meta has been in custody since...
In a surprising admission, Berisha labels 21 January a “state crime” but insists it was unintentional
For the first time, 14 years after four protesters were killed by Republic Guard gunfire during a Socialist-led demonstration, former Prime Minister Sali Berisha has surprised many by acknowledging that...
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj officially charged after six months in detention
Erion Veliaj, the mayor of Tirana arrested on February 10, was formally notified today of his status as a defendant on four counts: passive corruption, money laundering, concealment of assets...
Albania to open remaining EU negotiation chapters soon, says Danish minister
Danish Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre told the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee today that Albania will open the two remaining negotiation group chapters within a short time. “Albania...
European Parliament backs 2023–2024 Albania Report, applauds judicial reforms but warns on political polarization
The European Parliament has adopted its 2023–2024 resolution on Albania with an overwhelming majority of 502 votes in favor out of 686 members present. The report, drafted by Austrian MEP...
Erion Veliaj to remain in jail as High Court ruling revives accusations of judicial double standards
Albania’s Supreme Court has upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, rejecting his final appeal and confirming that he will remain behind bars without a set trial date....
Former President Ilir Meta and former wife Monika Kryemadhi officially indicted by SPAK for corruption and money laundering
The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK) has formally charged Ilir Meta and Monika Kryemadhi in connection with the CEZ-DIA scandal, undisclosed U.S. lobbying contracts, and allegations of illicit asset accumulation. The...
EU Ambassador calls for focus to shift to cooperation in parliament and electoral reform
The European Commission seems to consider Albania’s May 11 parliamentary elections a closed political chapter. According to EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, attention must now shift to Parliament, where political forces...