Analysis: Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj’s arrest on corruption charges likely to have major political implications for ruling party

Analysis: Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj’s arrest on corruption charges likely to have major political implications for ruling party

TIRANA, Feb. 10, 2025 – The arrest on Monday of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj on corruption charges has sent shockwaves through Albania’s political landscape, with major potential implications for the ruling Socialist Party just three months ahead of parliamentary elections.

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Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj arrested on corruption charges

Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj arrested on corruption charges

TIRANA, Feb. 10, 2025 – The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, was arrested Monday afternoon by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK).  Judicial police officers entered Veliaj’s office at around 2 p.m. and escorted

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Archbishop Anastasios, who revived Albania’s Orthodox Church, laid to rest, marking end of an era

Archbishop Anastasios, who revived Albania’s Orthodox Church, laid to rest, marking end of an era

TIRANA, Jan. 30, 2025 – The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania bid farewell to its long-serving leader, Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos, on Thursday, marking the end of a transformative era for the church and Albania’s religious landscape. The 95-year-old archbishop, who

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Kushner granted ‘strategic investor’ status for Sazan development ahead of Trump’s inauguration 

Kushner granted ‘strategic investor’ status for Sazan development ahead of Trump’s inauguration 

TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2025 – Albania has officially approved Jared Kushner’s ambitious plans to transform the uninhabited Sazan Island into a luxury eco-resort.  The Albanian government’s Strategic Investments Committee granted strategic investor status to Kushner’s Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC late

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Albania’s TikTok ban draws debate

Albania’s TikTok ban draws debate

TIRANA, Dec. 26, 2024 – The Albanian government’s recent announcement that will ban for at least a year the use within the country of the popular social media platform TikTok has generated debate over the impact of social media on

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Albania joins SEPA, marking tangible step in economic integration with the EU

Albania joins SEPA, marking tangible step in economic integration with the EU

TIRANA, Nov. 22, 2024 – Albania’s application to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) has been approved, and the country will join on Jan. 1, 2025, alongside Montenegro, the central bank announced Thursday.  SEPA membership is particularly important because

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Albania struggles with hazardous waste scandal as ship awaits clearance off Durres coast

Albania struggles with hazardous waste scandal as ship awaits clearance off Durres coast

DURRES, Oct. 31, 2024 – A cargo ship laden with over 100 containers of suspected hazardous waste, which arrived in Albania from Singapore, remains anchored off the coast of Durres for the fourth consecutive day.  The ship’s entry into port

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Arrest of former President Ilir Meta on corruption allegations sends second key opposition leader into detention

Arrest of former President Ilir Meta on corruption allegations sends second key opposition leader into detention

TIRANA, Oct. 21, 2024 – The arrest on Monday of former President Ilir Meta, who now heads the opposition Freedom Party, on orders of the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has sent shockwaves through Albania’s political landscape.

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Italian ship brings first migrants to Albania-based camp under controversial asylum-processing deal

Italian ship brings first migrants to Albania-based camp under controversial asylum-processing deal

TIRANA, Oct. 16, 2024 – An Italian military ship carrying the first group of migrants arrived in the Albanian port of Shëngjin early Wednesday, marking the launch of a controversial project to process Italian asylum applications on Albanian soil, drawing

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Turkish president visit opens doors to Tirana Grand Mosque, reaffirms strong ties

Turkish president visit opens doors to Tirana Grand Mosque, reaffirms strong ties

TIRANA, Oct. 11, 2024 – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made an official visit to Tirana on Thursday, reiterating the strong ties between the two countries — opening the doors to the region’s largest mosque, providing drones for the Albanian

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