The 42nd European chapter meeting of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) is being held from Sept. 19-23.

The agenda covers organised crime, terrorism, online extremism, drones, cybercrime, illicit financial flows, asset seizures, narcotics and extraditions.

Senior officials from Albania’s State Police, Special Prosecution Office (SPAK), National Bureau of Investigation (BKH) and prosecutors’ offices are taking part. U.S. participants include FBI Deputy Assistant Director Spencer Horn and FBI legal attaché in Sofia Brendan Collins.

The meeting is examining the Budapest Organized Crime Task Force, marking 25 years of cooperation, as well as the U.S. Joint Terrorism Task Force model for investigating terrorist threats.

A session will focus on the online group “764”, which U.S. authorities have linked to forms of violent extremism and criminal activity, as well as emerging forms of violent extremism and Albania’s experience in addressing them.

FBI Laboratory Division experts will also present technologies used to examine and analyse drones.

Participants will discuss cybercrime, international cooperation against criminal networks, tracing illicit proceeds and the use of seized and confiscated assets for public purposes. BKH investigator Eduart Kaloshi will present a narcotics case investigated by the bureau.

The final day will focus on extraditions, including Albanian procedures, practical challenges and cooperation with other countries.

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During a statement on the sidelines of the conference, Minister Malaj said that Albania remains a proactive partner in global initiatives to prevent terrorist financing and ensure financial integrity.

Albania has solidified its position as a reliable international partner in the fight against financial crime. According to the minister, the country is continuously aligning its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures with global standards. This includes modernizing financial intelligence systems and expanding professional expertise to regulate emerging sectors like crypto-assets and digital finance.

He also highlighted the country’s continuous alignment with international and EU standards.

Furthermore, the minister pointed out that as technological disruptions grow, we must rely on greater global cooperation, stronger alliances, and continuous investments in secure infrastructure.

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The interlocutors discussed during the meeting the positive steps and results achieved by Albania in prevention and fight against terrorism and violent extremism, but also the need to strengthen capacities in the conditions and challenges brought by digital developments.

“Violent extremism, terrorism, radicalism are as present as wars in some regions of the world; they appear “online” and more “offline”, therefore commitment and resistance must be increased”, said Felaj.

Attending the meeting was also Lejdi Dervishi, National Coordinator for Violent Extremism at the Ministry of the Interior./p.s./

In her speech, Nikola focused on the need for synergistic responses against terrorism, conflicts and wars of occupation; the need for better alignment of alliances and military responses with political alliances; Albania’s contribution to the fight against terrorism and the war in Ukraine, for the protection of peace; Albania’s regional leadership in the fight against anti-Semitism as a contribution to security and peace.

According to Nikola, in many regions of the world, the achievement of defensive military alliances is not always followed by political partnerships and alliances.

Nikola said that, “Albania lined up on the right side of history, by the side of the USA, with the conviction that the fight against terrorism, the bases of their supporters, is the fight for life”.

Also, Nikolla highlighted that in October 2020 the Assembly of Albania adopted the Resolution “On the approval of the definition used for anti-Semitism, defined by the International Alliance for the Remembrance of the Holocaust” and organized, in cooperation with the Movement Against Anti-Semitism and the Agency for the Jews of Israel, the first Balkan anti-Semitism forum.

During the summit, Speaker Nikolla was received by the executive director of the International Institute against Terrorism, prof. Boaz Ganor, with whom they discussed the coordination of the fight against cyber terrorism.

Parliamentarians, high state dignitaries, academics and experts from many countries of the world participated in the summit. /m.m/r.e/p.s./

The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime SPAK reported that today the judicial police of the Anti-Terror Directorate executed the arrest order of the prosecutor for the citizen B.Z, as a person suspected of committing the criminal offences: “Inciting calls and propaganda for the commission of acts with terrorist purposes” and “Inciting hatred or strife” provided by articles 232/a and 265 of the Criminal Code.

“The arrest of this citizen was made after an intensive two-year investigation, carried out with special investigation methods by the Anti-Terror Directorate under the direction of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, the SPAK report reads./r.e/p.s./

During his stay in Jerusalem, Nano held a friendly and fruitful meeting with his counterpart, General Director of the Israeli Police Yaakov Shabtai.

Nano and Shabtai praised the excellent relations between the Albanian and Israeli Police, as well as with the security agencies in Israel.

The meeting focused on exchange of the best working experiences at the head of relevant institutions, the impact of the use of modern technology on the functional duties of police officers, as well as the further strengthening of cooperation between the two police forces, for information exchange, investigations and joint operations in the fight against terrorism, organized crime, cyber-crime and money laundering. The two countries are also set to cooperate in fight against terrorism and cyber crime.

Nano thanked his counterpart for all the appreciation and support given by the Israeli Police.

Nano stressed that, “The Albanian State Police is professionally capable and has all the capacities to fight alongside counterpart police against organized crime, cyber-crime, money laundering, corruption and terrorism. The challenges I have undertaken are precisely these common priorities that know no borders and that are based on guaranteeing security and order and creating a safer environment for our citizens.”/p.s./