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Court of Appeals lowers former lawmaker’s sentence

Court of Appeals lowers former lawmaker’s sentence

TIRANA, Jan. 9 – The Court of Appeals lowered Mark Frroku’s sentence from seven and a half years to six years this week. The former MP was sentenced last April for concealment of wealth, money laundering and illegal construction. Frroku’s

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National police chief sacked as investigation into criminal ties of former minister continues

National police chief sacked as investigation into criminal ties of former minister continues

TIRANA, Jan. 8 – Albanian State Police Chief Haki à‡ako was ousted this week by the Council of Ministers, after an earlier proposal made by Minister of Interior Fatmir Xhafaj. In the Ministry of Interior’s public statement, it is said

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MPs Rakipi, Rehovica removed from parliament under decriminalization law

MPs Rakipi, Rehovica removed from parliament under decriminalization law

TIRANA, Jan. 8 –   Lawmakers Aqif Rakipi and Gledion Rehovica were stripped of their mandates on Friday by the Central Elections Commission (CEC) over the prosecution’s belief  the two MPs hid criminal records in the past under different identities.

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Yannoulatos granted Albanian citizenship after 25 years as head of Orthodox Church

Yannoulatos granted Albanian citizenship after 25 years as head of Orthodox Church

TIRANA, Dec. 26 – Albania’s president, Ilir Meta, has granted Albanian citizenship to Archibishop Anastasios Yannoulatos – the Greek-born  leader of Albania’s Autocephalous Orthodox Church for more than 25 years. The archbishop had requested Albanian citizenship many years ago, but

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Opposition angry at Albania’s UN vote on Jerusalem

Opposition angry at Albania’s UN vote on Jerusalem

TIRANA, Dec. 22 – The opposition also reacted to Albania voting against US’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital yesterday, saying it goes against Albanians’ interests and that a vote against the U.S. is a vote against Kosovo. Adding to

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Parties split on priorities for electoral reform

Parties split on priorities for electoral reform

TIRANA, Sept. 21 – All major political forces in Albania agree that electoral reform is necessary – but they disagree on what its priorities should be. Chairman of the Democratic Party Lulzim Basha, said the electoral reform must return power

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No additional conditions for start of EU talks, says Fleckenstein

No additional conditions for start of EU talks, says Fleckenstein

TIRANA, Sept. 19 – Knut Fleckenstein’s visit in Tirana reconfirmed that Brussels has not placed additional conditions for Albania’s EU membership, thus enabling membership negotiations to begin as soon as possible. Instead, he stressed, the EU capital expects Albania to

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Authorities working to find blasts’ authors

Authorities working to find blasts’ authors

Investigators believe explosives were used to send a message to law enforcement and cause panic after two blasts and attempted attacks this week. TIRANA, Feb. 12 – Authorities are on the hunt for suspects following the use of small amounts

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Sejko becomes new central bank governor

Parliament has approved the new chief for Bank of Albania after theft scandal that led to the arrest and sacking of Sejko’s predecessor TIRANA, Feb. 5 – Parliament approved in the late hours of Thursday Gent Sejko as the new governor

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EU top enlargement official visits Tirana

TIRANA, Jan. 30 – Top European Union official Christian Danielsson, in charge of the enlargement, visited Tirana last week to meet with top local official and discuss with them Albania’s progress towards the five key priorities. Danielson met with President

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