Albania's parliament voted to lift the immunity of opposition leader Sali Berisha, who faces corruption charges related to his influence as premier between 2005 and 2009. Berisha denies the charges, deeming the vote illegal and politically motivated. His supporters protested outside the parliament, while lawmakers who support him disrupted the session. Berisha, a former president and prime minister, was barred from entering the United States in 2021 due to corruption accusations by the State Department.

NATO member Albania has reopened the Kucova Air Base, a Soviet-era facility, to serve NATO aircraft amid increased threats from Russia, according to Prime Minister Edi Rama. The base, which received over 50 million euros in funding from NATO, is part of efforts to enhance security in the Western Balkans. Italy and Greece currently protect Albania's airspace. The Kucova Air Base, once known as 'Stalin City', is symbolic of Albania's shift from potential Cold War frontlines to a NATO ally. Albania is also discussing the creation of a naval base at Porto Romano with NATO.

The family of 27-year-old Albanian man Farruku, who died on the UK migrant barge Bibby Stockholm, buried him amidst controversy over the conditions on the barge, which rights groups have likened to a prison ship. The British interior ministry is investigating the incident, which occurred on December 12, and a coroner has stated there was nothing suspicious about Farruku's death, attributing it to 'compression of the neck' from 'suspension by ligature'. Farruku's family remembers him as a hard worker who sought a better life in Britain, influenced by other family members' success there. Over 11,000 Albanian asylum seekers arrived in Britain by boat from May to September 2022, but after collaboration between the UK and Albanian governments in December 2022, crossings by Albanians fell by 90%. Farruku's sisters funded the repatriation of his body and funeral expenses through an online fundraiser.

Albania's parliament voted to lift the immunity of opposition leader Sali Berisha, leading to potential arrest on corruption charges. Berisha, a former president and prime minister, is accused of favoring his daughter's husband in state land privatization. He denies the charges, claiming the decision is illegal and politically motivated. His supporters protested outside the parliament, while some lawmakers disrupted the session. The US State Department has previously barred Berisha and his family from entry due to alleged corruption.

Albania's parliament voted to lift the immunity of opposition leader Sali Berisha, leading to potential arrest on corruption charges related to his tenure as prime minister. Berisha, who denies the allegations, criticized the vote as illegal and politically motivated. His supporters protested outside the parliament, while lawmakers who back him disrupted the session. The United States has previously barred Berisha and his family from entry, citing involvement in corrupt acts.

Albania's parliament voted to lift the immunity of opposition leader Sali Berisha, who was indicted on corruption charges related to favouring his daughter’s husband in state land privatisation. Berisha, a former president and prime minister, denies the charges, calling the vote illegal and politically motivated. His supporters protested outside the parliament, and U.S. has previously barred Berisha and his family from entry due to corruption accusations.

Albania's parliament voted to lift the immunity of opposition leader Sali Berisha, leading to potential arrest following his indictment on corruption charges. Berisha, a former president and prime minister, is accused of favoring his daughter’s husband in state land privatization. He denies the charges, claiming the vote is illegal and politically motivated. His supporters protested outside parliament, while U.S. authorities previously barred Berisha and his family from entry, citing involvement in corrupt acts.

Albania's parliament voted to lift the immunity of opposition leader Sali Berisha, who faces corruption charges related to his influence as prime minister between 2005 and 2009. Berisha denies the charges, deeming the vote illegal and politically motivated. His supporters protested outside the parliament, while lawmakers who support him disrupted the session. Berisha, also a former president, was barred from entering the United States in 2021 due to corruption accusations by the State Department.

Albania's parliament voted to lift the immunity of opposition leader Sali Berisha, who is charged with corruption related to land privatization favoring his daughter’s husband during his tenure as prime minister from 2005 to 2009. Berisha denies the charges, claiming the decision is illegal and politically motivated. His supporters protested outside the parliament, while lawmakers who support him disrupted the session. Berisha, also a former president, was barred from entering the United States in 2021 due to corruption accusations by the State Department.

Albania's parliament voted to lift the immunity of opposition leader Sali Berisha, who is charged with corruption related to land privatization favoring his daughter’s husband during his tenure as prime minister from 2005 to 2009. Berisha denies the charges, claiming the vote was illegal and politically motivated. His supporters protested outside the parliament, and the U.S. has previously barred Berisha and his family from entry due to alleged corruption.

The Albanian Constitutional Court has endorsed an opposition request to review the constitutionality of a migrant pact with Italy, leading to the suspension of its ratification by the Albanian Parliament. The deal, which involves building sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was challenged by opposition lawmakers over procedural errors and the lack of authorization by the Albanian president. The court has scheduled a hearing for January 18, automatically suspending parliamentary ratification procedures. Prime Minister Edi Rama's decision to enter the deal without consulting the opposition has been criticized, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated that the centres would host around 3,000 people, excluding minors and vulnerable groups, and are expected to open in spring 2024.

Albania's ratification of a migrant pact with Italy has been suspended by a top court after opposition lawmakers filed a request to review its constitutionality. The agreement, which involves building sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was due to be ratified by the Albanian parliament but is now postponed until a constitutional court hearing on January 18. The opposition criticized procedural errors and lack of consultation in the deal, which was negotiated by Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meloni's plan for the centres, set to open in spring 2024, excludes minors and vulnerable groups. The Italian government has not commented on the court's ruling.

The Albanian Constitutional Court has endorsed an opposition request to review the constitutionality of a migrant pact with Italy, leading to the suspension of its ratification by the Albanian Parliament. The deal, which involves building sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was challenged by opposition lawmakers over procedural errors and the lack of authorization by the Albanian president. The court has scheduled a hearing for January 18, automatically suspending parliamentary ratification procedures. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, which supports the establishment of such facilities outside the EU, did not comment on the ruling.

Albania's constitutional court has suspended the ratification of a migrant pact with Italy, following an opposition request to review its constitutionality. The agreement, which involves establishing sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was set to be ratified by the Albanian parliament but is now postponed until a court hearing on January 18. Opposition lawmakers criticized procedural errors and lack of consultation in the deal's negotiation, which was signed by Prime Ministers Edi Rama of Albania and Giorgia Meloni of Italy. Meloni's hard-right Brothers of Italy party supports the initiative, which aims to reduce migrant arrivals in Italy. The centres are expected to open in spring 2024 and host around 3,000 people, excluding minors, pregnant women, and vulnerable groups.

The Albanian Constitutional Court has endorsed an opposition request to review the constitutionality of a migrant pact with Italy, leading to the suspension of its ratification by the Albanian Parliament. The deal, which involves building sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was challenged by opposition lawmakers over procedural errors and lack of authorization by the Albanian president. The court has scheduled a hearing for January 18, automatically suspending parliamentary ratification procedures. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, which supports the establishment of such facilities outside the EU, did not comment on the ruling.

The Albanian Constitutional Court has endorsed an opposition request to review the constitutionality of a migrant pact with Italy, leading to the suspension of its ratification by the Albanian Parliament. The deal, which involves building sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was challenged by opposition lawmakers over procedural errors and the lack of authorization by the Albanian president. The court has scheduled a hearing for January 18, and Prime Minister Edi Rama's decision to make the deal without consultation has been met with dissatisfaction. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has not commented on the ruling.

The Albanian Constitutional Court has endorsed an opposition request to review the constitutionality of a migrant pact with Italy, leading to the suspension of its ratification by the Albanian Parliament. The deal, which involves building sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was challenged by opposition lawmakers over procedural errors and lack of presidential authorization. Prime Minister Edi Rama's decision to enter the agreement without consultation has been criticized, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has outlined that the centres would host 3,000 people, excluding minors and vulnerable groups, and are expected to open in spring 2024. The Italian government has not commented on the court's ruling.

The Albanian Constitutional Court has suspended the ratification of a migrant pact with Italy, following an opposition request to review its constitutionality. The deal, which involves building sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was challenged by opposition lawmakers over procedural errors and the lack of authorization by the Albanian president. The court's decision halts parliamentary procedures until a final decision on January 18. Prime Minister Edi Rama's unilateral decision to agree with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has faced criticism for not consulting the opposition. Meloni's party has advocated for such facilities outside the EU, with plans to host 3,000 people by spring 2024, excluding minors and vulnerable groups. The Italian government has not commented on the ruling.

The Albanian Constitutional Court has suspended the ratification of a migrant pact with Italy, following an opposition request to review its constitutionality. The agreement, which involves establishing sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was challenged by opposition lawmakers over procedural errors and lack of presidential authorization. The court's decision halts parliamentary procedures until a final ruling on January 18. Prime Minister Edi Rama's unilateral decision-making and the surprise nature of the deal with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have been criticized. Meloni's party supports the creation of such facilities outside the EU, with the Albanian centres expected to open in spring 2024, hosting around 3,000 people, excluding minors and vulnerable groups. The Italian government has not commented on the court's ruling.

Albania's Constitutional Court has suspended the ratification of a migrant pact with Italy following an opposition request to review its constitutionality. The agreement, which involves establishing sea migrant reception centres in Albania, was challenged by opposition lawmakers citing procedural errors and the need for presidential authorization. The court's decision halts parliamentary procedures until a final ruling on January 18. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated that the centres would host around 3,000 people and exclude vulnerable groups. The Italian government has not commented on the court's ruling.

Leonard Farruku, a 27-year-old Albanian migrant, was buried near Tirana after dying on the Bibby Stockholm, a barge housing migrants in the UK. His death has sparked controversy over the conditions on the barge, which rights groups have likened to a prison ship. The British interior ministry stated the incident is under investigation, emphasizing the importance of welfare for those in its care. A coroner indicated Farruku's death was due to 'compression of the neck' from 'suspension by ligature'. His family, who described him as a hard worker, is seeking answers, while the UK has reported a significant decrease in Albanian migrant crossings after bilateral government collaboration.

Protesters in Tirana, Albania, set fire to a Christmas tree and vandalized holiday decorations in response to a police killing of a 25-year-old man who violated the coronavirus curfew. The violent protests resulted in at least 16 injured police officers, one seriously. The local police admitted the shooting was unacceptable, stating the officer did not follow the law. Four protesters were arrested, and the motive for targeting Christmas decorations remains unclear.