Country Report on Terrorism 2023 - Chapter 1 - Albania

Overview:  Albania continued its strong support of international counterterrorism efforts in 2023.  The terrorism threat in Albania includes ISIS sympathizers’ attempts to radicalize Albanian youth to violence, the use of Albania as a source or transit country for money or material by terrorists, and the potential for radicalization to violence by returnees from Syria.

2023 Terrorist Incidents:  There were no reported terrorist incidents in Albania in 2023.

Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security:  Albania criminalizes terrorist acts, including financing of terrorism, conducting transactions with persons on UN sanctions lists, recruiting and training for terrorist acts, inciting terrorist acts, and establishing, leading, and participating in terrorist organizations or armed conflicts outside the country.

The Albanian State Police Counterterrorism Directorate (CTD) worked closely with U.S. agencies to align Albanian government requirements with U.S. expertise and resources, facilitating the Albanian government’s development of focused CT capabilities.  The CTD can effectively and proactively detect, deter, and prevent acts of terrorism in its territory.  The directorate has worked with other regional CT units to monitor potential threats and, where appropriate, provide evidence.  The Albanian CTD would benefit from improved formal and informal communication channels with neighboring countries, to respond to regional and transiting threats.

In May and December, the CTD and the Special Prosecution Office within the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) participated in Regional Counterterrorism Task Force conferences organized by the U.S. DOJ.  The Albanian government has developed, in conjunction with international partners, contingency plans and capabilities to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks against soft targets.

The SPAK Special Prosecution Office has jurisdiction to review, investigate, and prosecute criminal offenses involving terrorist intention or any criminal offense related to a terrorist organization.

The following noteworthy cases related to terrorism were filed or adjudicated by SPAK in 2023:

• February:  Conviction of defendant Ibrahim el Salih Lekica for inciting terrorism on social media, with a sentence of four years in prison.
• July:  Conviction of defendant Bledar Zeneli for inciting terrorism, falsifying documents, and illegal possession of weapons, with a sentence of five years in prison.
• July:  SPAK charged nine women and 14 men with participation in a terrorist organization and participation in military actions in a foreign state for membership in and activities on behalf of ISIS in northeast Syria.  A trial against the nine women is ongoing.  Arrest warrants against the men were issued in October 2023.
• November:  Conviction of Gazmend Collaku for incitement of terrorism, with a sentence of four years in prison.
• December:  Conviction affirmed of Iranian citizen Bijon Pooladrag, who previously was convicted and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment for preparation of terrorist acts against the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq.

Albania has committed to enhancing its border security and screening efforts to interdict terrorist travel, in line with international standards and with support from U.S. experts and programs.  Albanian law enforcement services cooperate extensively with INTERPOL and other international law enforcement bodies.  Albania continues to implement UNSC resolution 2396 regarding Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record data, which enhance screening of air passengers entering the country.

In 2023, Albania engaged in reforms to its prison infrastructure and management, including establishment and support of an analytical unit within the Directorate of Intelligence, which will increase the management of potential violent extremist inmates, such as convicted terrorists.

There are approximately 9 Albanian FTFs in detention and approximately 25 Albanian women and children in displaced persons camps in Syria.  Albania has previously repatriated nine women and 28 children from Syria.

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) and its Financial Intelligence Unit, the Financial Intelligence Agency, is a member of the Egmont Group.

In October, Albania was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list.  FATF reported that Albania had substantially completed its action plan and addressed its strategic deficiencies, including by demonstrating a meaningful increase in the number of money laundering cases indicted, particularly those stemming from foreign offenses where the criminal proceeds were laundered in Albania.

Countering Violent Extremism:  The Government of Albania’s National CVE Center is active in coordinating CVE programming among international donors and seeks to ensure all ministries cooperate effectively.  The cities of Bulqizë, Cërrik, Elbasan, Librazhd, and Tirana are members of the Strong Cities Network, and three additional cities are in the membership process.  During 2023, an Albanian representative served as a board member for the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).  GCERF grants have supported the reintegration and rehabilitation of women and children repatriated by Albania from Syria.

In October the Prime Minister of Albania issued an order establishing Regional Committees for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism in 12 districts.  Committees will consist of representatives of various educational, public health, social services, and law enforcement agencies.  The committees will refer cases of violent radicalism and violent extremism to the national coordinator for the prevention and countering of violent extremism.

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 International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism (Hedayah), and the UN.  Albania was a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council through the end of December and held the rotating presidency of that body in September.  Albanian criminal justice officials participated regularly in various regional associations, conferences, and other CT information sharing exchanges.  Albania joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in 2014 and is a member of the Coalition’s FTF Working Group.