Source label: Officially reportedCode: OFFICIALLY_REPORTEDStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.From 22 Jun 2021
The Llogara Tunnel is a 5.99 km road link on the southern coast, reported at about 190 million euros. The tender was reopened on 22 June 2021 after an earlier round was annulled. A consortium of Intekar Yapi and ASL Insaat won, according to 2021 reporting. SPAK alleges that Balluku, together with Evis Berberi and several commission members, predetermined the winner and gave unfair advantages to a consortium. The Democratic Party raised cost concerns in 2021 and said the winning offer was higher than the rival bid. Balluku denies wrongdoing.
Status: Under investigation. Balluku indicted (reported 31 Oct 2025). Immunity not lifted (12 Mar 2026). No trial verdict found.
Legal status: IndictedCode: indictedProsecutors have brought a formal indictment. It remains an accusation until a court decides; the person is presumed innocent.Source label: Officially reportedCode: OFFICIALLY_REPORTEDStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.
Legal status: ChargedCode: chargedA prosecutor has formally accused the person of an offence. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt.Source label: Under investigationCode: UNDER_INVESTIGATIONCredible reporting or investigative material that a court has not established.
Legal status: ChargedCode: chargedA prosecutor has formally accused the person of an offence. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt.Source label: Officially reportedCode: OFFICIALLY_REPORTEDStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.
Legal status: ChargedCode: chargedA prosecutor has formally accused the person of an offence. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt.Source label: Officially reportedCode: OFFICIALLY_REPORTEDStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.
Being named in a case file does not mean being accused in it. Each case page states who is accused of what, and by whom.
Related case files
Tirana Outer Ring Road (Lot 4) procurementSource label: Under investigationCode: UNDER_INVESTIGATIONCredible reporting or investigative material that a court has not established.
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On 20 October 2026, Reuters reported that Albania's Special Prosecution Office formalised corruption charges against former Deputy Prime Minister…
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Source label: Officially reportedCode: OFFICIALLY_REPORTEDStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.
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Footage status: Partially verifiedSome details (for example publisher, date or place) were confirmed by the research; others were not.Source label: Under investigationCode: UNDER_INVESTIGATIONCredible reporting or investigative material that a court has not established.
Reuters (video); described by SCMP and bdnews24 · 17 Oct 2026
Footage status: Footage unverifiedThe research could not confirm what, where or when the footage shows.Source label: UnverifiedCode: UNVERIFIEDAnonymous tip, social-media upload or a single unconfirmed report.
Footage status: Footage unverifiedThe research could not confirm what, where or when the footage shows.Source label: UnverifiedCode: UNVERIFIEDAnonymous tip, social-media upload or a single unconfirmed report.
Ombudsman drafting recommendations on use of force, including tear gas and rubber bullets
The Ombudsman told the Swiss Ambassador that it is drafting specific recommendations on police use of force during public gatherings, including standards for tear gas and rubber bullets. The page describes these as being drafted, not yet issued.
Source label: Officially reportedCode: OFFICIALLY_REPORTEDStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.Ombudsman meets with Swiss Ambassador (30 Oct 2026) (opens in a new tab)Office of the People's Advocate · 30 Oct 2026 · official · EN
Police
Tirana Prosecution registers proceeding no. 7806/2026 (Arts. 248 and 250)
Ex officio proceeding; investigation ongoing; no officer named or charged in the reporting reviewed.
Source label: Officially reportedCode: OFFICIALLY_REPORTEDStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.Prokuroria e Tiranes: procedimi penal nr. 7806/2026 (opens in a new tab)Balkanweb · 26 Oct 2026 · journalism · SQ
Police
Riot police use tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets in Tirana (Saturday 24 Oct)
Reuters (dateline Tirana, 24 Oct) reports protesters threw rocks and set a fire at the door of the agriculture ministry; police used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets. The article does not mention drones or aerial surveillance; no injuries or arrest figures are given.
National rally in Tirana: thousands; tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets; more than 300 injured per authorities
Al Jazeera (24 Oct 2026, read) reports 'thousands' answered calls from organisers, including university professors, artists and opposition parties. Demands: better support for education and Rama's resignation; the focus since May has broadened to corruption and cost of living. Police used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets; security was heightened and cars entering the capital were checked. Some protesters threw stones and rolled burning bins at the Education Ministry; several government buildings were attacked. Authorities: more than 300 protesters and police injured and dozens of demonstrators arrested (no dates given for these figures). Rama blamed 'foreign actors' and accused Russia and Iran of driving online misinformation. Red cushions set outside government headquarters as a dialogue gesture were set on fire by protesters. A protester losing an eye after rubber bullets is reported in an exit.al headline (24 Oct) and recorded in(vid-vishkulli-injury-no-footage-2026-10-24).
Ombudsman drafting recommendations on use of force, including tear gas and rubber bullets
The Ombudsman told the Swiss Ambassador that it is drafting specific recommendations on police use of force during public gatherings, including standards for tear gas and rubber bullets. The page describes these as being drafted, not yet issued.
Source label: Officially reportedCode: OFFICIALLY_REPORTEDStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.Ombudsman meets with Swiss Ambassador (30 Oct 2026) (opens in a new tab)Office of the People's Advocate · 30 Oct 2026 · official · EN
Parliament
Assembly approves Bank of Albania law with governor protection (reported, 84 votes)
Shekulli (29 Oct 2026) reports the Assembly approved the package including the Bank of Albania law with 84 votes for; against and abstain not stated; PM Rama present and left after the vote; provision: arrest and personal or home searches of the governor need prior Assembly authorisation when the case relates to his official function; the July draft had given this role to the Constitutional Court. CNA headline and Syri.net (Ina Zhupa interview, 29 Oct 2026) also describe the law as passed.
Government approves amendments to the Law on Assemblies: temporary protest restrictions in protected and sensitive areas; fines 10,000-500,000 lek
Albanian Daily News (28 Oct 2026, read) reports the government approved amendments introducing temporary restrictions on protests in designated protected areas (transport hubs, ports, airports, areas around schools and hospitals, cultural heritage sites; municipal councils may designate more). The State Police may ask providers to remove messages calling for violence tied to assemblies. Administrative fines range from 10,000 to 500,000 lek. A separate act creates state compensation for businesses damaged in protest violence. The article gives no stated justification, does not say whether parliament must approve, and quotes no official. See ev-2026-10-28-government-approves-amendments in.
Balluku told investigation concluded and file ready for trial (Albanian Daily News)
Albanian Daily News (28 Oct 2026, fetched) reports that prosecutors formally informed Balluku that the investigation into her case has been concluded and the file is ready for trial. It describes 15 alleged episodes, nine tenders worth about 1.2 billion EUR, and two coastal villas allegedly owned by her but registered to another person. The article does not mention apartments, the number 300, or any statement from Balluku or her lawyers.
Investigation reported concluded; file reported ready for trial (26 defendants)
Albanian Daily News (28 Oct 2026, fetched) reports that the investigation into Balluku 'has been concluded and the file is ready for trial', with 15 alleged episodes across nine tenders worth about 1.2 billion euros. Balkanweb (28 Oct 2026, fetched, 21:23) reports 26 defendants, with 15 notified on the day and the rest the next day, the investigation deadline for Balluku as January 2027, and 'more than 1 billion euro' in her case, citing journalist Klodiana Lala. Neither article quotes a SPAK communique. The 'ready for trial' wording is press-reported, not a court step.
Albanian Daily News: government approves amendments to the Law on Assemblies and a compensation normative act
Albanian Daily News (28 Oct 2026, fetched) says the government approved amendments to the Law on Assemblies and the Council of Ministers approved a normative act on state compensation for businesses damaged by violence at gatherings. Amendments as reported: temporary restrictions on protests near public transport stations and terminals, ports, airports, schools, hospitals and cultural heritage sites (municipal councils may designate more areas); administrative fines 'from 10,000 to 500,000 lek' (no per-measure amounts); the State Police may ask for removal of messages calling for violence linked to assemblies distributed via social media, email or telephone. No article numbers. Whether these are drafts, bills submitted to parliament or enacted is not stated. The article does not name who proposed the amendments.
