A total of 38,345 criminal offences were recorded in 2025, up 17.4% from 2024, according to the report published by INSTAT.

The number of suspected offenders reached 45,334, marking a 13.2% increase. Of these, 93.3% were men, with the most represented age group between 30 and 44 years old.

First-time offenders totalled 39,027, up 16.7% year-on-year.

Authorities recorded 19,145 victims in 2025, an increase of 7.8% compared with 2024. Of these, 39.3% were linked to crimes against persons. Women accounted for 36.7% of victims in this category, mainly in sexual offences, crimes against morality and dignity, and domestic-related offences.

The number of registered criminal proceedings rose to 27,049, up 8.5%. Of the 24,491 cases completed, 27.6% were dismissed, 27.8% suspended and 42.5% were sent to court for trial.

A total of 14,356 defendants were recorded in 2025, 9% more than a year earlier, of whom 94% were men.

Meanwhile, the prison population stood at 4,503, up slightly by 0.3% compared with 2024.

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The workshop brought together prosecutors from SPAK and the General Jurisdiction Prosecutor’s Offices to discuss best practices and strengthen institutional co-ordination in addressing electoral offences. The event featured two international practitioners from Italy specialized in electoral crimes.

Participants explored investigative protocols related to electoral corruption and illicit agreements between criminal organizations and political actors. Discussions also focused on the use of evidence in court proceedings, including testimony from justice collaborators, qualified witnesses and electronic interceptions.

Addressing the event, OSCE Presence’s representatives Mauro Puzzo and Blerim Vela stressed the importance of strengthening prosecutorial responses and ensuring accountability for electoral offences as a foundation for public trust in democratic processes.

They emphasized the need for a timely and transparent response to recurring electoral malpractices such as vote-buying, pressure on voters and misuse of administrative resources, which continue to be noted with concern in OSCE/ODIHR election observation reports.

This workshop is part of the Presence’s broader efforts to assist Albania’s institutional actors in improving the quality of investigations and prosecutions, particularly in complex and high-impact areas such as electoral crimes.

Recently, the Presence facilitated capacity building for the State Police, donated IT equipment to SPAK to support mobile investigation teams and convened a roundtable where civil society organizations discussed their findings and recommendations in tackling electoral crimes with the relevant state institutions.

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