Overview: Albania continued its strong support of international counterterrorism efforts in 2022, repatriating 13 of its nationals from al-Hol displaced persons camp in Syria and engaging in the process of reintegrating and rehabilitating them throughout the year. The country has adopted national strategies on counterterrorism and countering violent extremism (CVE) through 2025 and is revising the CVE strategy. The terrorism threat in Albania consists of foreign terrorist organizations’ attempts to radicalize Albanian youth to violence.
2022 Terrorist Incidents: There were no reported terrorist incidents in Albania in 2022.
Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: In Albania it is illegal to join a terrorist organization, to provide and participate in terrorism-related training, to provide material support (including financing) to a terrorist organization, and to participate in a foreign army.
The Albanian State Police Counterterrorism Unit (the CTU) worked closely with U.S. agencies to align Albanian government CT efforts with U.S. expertise and resources, ensuring the Albanian government develops focused CT capabilities. The CTU received extensive training and equipment throughout the year from the Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance program.
The Special Prosecution Office for Organized Crime and Corruption charged two persons with incitement and propaganda in favor of terrorist organization ISIS based on investigations performed by the Albanian State Police Counterterrorism Unit (CTU). In December the Special Court for Organized Crime and Corruption sentenced an Iranian citizen to 15 years in prison for preparing terrorist acts.
On May 28, Albania successfully repatriated 13 nationals from displaced persons camps in Syria. The Albanian government’s CVE Center directed the rehabilitation and reintegration of these individuals and coordinated the efforts of various ministries, international donors, civil society members, and non-governmental organizations to support these efforts. This was the second repatriation in a 12-month period conducted by the Albanian authorities, for a total of 38 repatriated women and children.
Corruption and barriers to information sharing among government agencies, insufficient intra-agency coordination, and a weak judicial system continued to hinder Albania’s law enforcement efforts at all levels, including those related to countering terrorism. Implementation of deep reforms in the judicial sector continued. Vetting of Albania’s 800 judges and prosecutors for corruption, competence, and ties to organized crime was 75 percent complete at year’s end.
Albania has committed to enhancing its border security and screening efforts to interdict terrorist travel, with support from U.S. experts and programs. Albanian law enforcement services cooperate extensively with INTERPOL and other international law enforcement bodies. The country continues work to implement United Nations Security Council resolution 2396 regarding Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Records data and established a Passenger Information Unit with support from the United States. Albania sustains a port security oversight system to implement the requirements under the International Maritime Organization’s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Albania is a member of MONEYVAL (the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism). Its FIU, the General Directorate for the Prevention of Money Laundering, is a member of the Egmont Group. Albania remained on FATF’s “gray list” in 2022.
In 2022, FATF reported that Albania took steps toward improving its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism regime, including by finalizing the registration of real estate property, completing a long-term project to reduce the informal economy, enhancing the focus and efforts of law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities on applying the full range of seizure and confiscation measures, enacting an adequate legal framework for violations of company and non-profit organization registration obligations, and implementing proportionate and dissuasive sanctions against entities that failed to declare their beneficial owners in the registry by the deadline. In its May follow-up report, Albania noted progress in addressing identified technical compliance deficiencies.
For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2022 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Volume 2, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes.
Countering Violent Extremism: The Government of Albania has a national CVE strategy through 2025 and has been drafting a new one. The National CVE center coordinates and manages CVE programming among international donors and seeks to ensure all ministries cooperate effectively and avoid duplication of efforts. The National CVE center coordinated and managed the reception, rehabilitation, and reintegration of all women and children returnees. The National CVE center has been sought out for advice by other countries because of its successes with reintegration.
Embassy Tirana supports CVE efforts with a wide range of assistance programs and diplomatic engagement, including to local community groups that identify and mitigate factors underlying violent extremism. The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, in close coordination with the National CVE Center, funds three organizations that work on CVE issues: The Institute for Democracy and Mediation, the Counseling Line for Women, and Terre des Hommes.
The Department of State oversaw the implementation of a sixth CVE grant to the Albanian Muslim Community, which included engagement by Islamic clergy with at-risk youths, their parents, and civic leaders to steer youth away from radicalization to violence, as well as informing them about democratic principles, human rights, civic engagement, and tolerance.
International and Regional Cooperation: Albania is a member of the Adriatic Council, the Council of Europe, NATO, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the OSCE, the Regional Cooperation Council for Southeast Europe, the United Nations, and the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism (Hedayah). In 2022, it continued to serve as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council. Albanian criminal-justice officials participated regularly in various regional associations, conferences, and other counterterrorism information-sharing exchanges.
