Latest Investigations from the Balkans
‘Salary’ For Mayor’s Widow Causes Confusion
The widow of the murdered Mayor of Suhareke has continued to receive his salary since his death in 2002 - while their widows of mayors receive nothing, Balkan Insight has discovered.
Black Market in Heart of Kosovo Government
Former employees of the Government’s catering service claim they worked without contracts, paid no tax and were forced to work illegally long hours.
Kosovo: From Pasture to “Power Neighbourhood”
In four years, agricultural land on the edge of Pristina, owned by an elderly Serb farmer, has been transformed into one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the country, soon to be home to Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, former Interior Minister Zenun Pajaziti, alongside a host of other top businessmen, politicians and public figures.
Thaci’s Brother Stands to Earn Fortune From Flats
A construction firm part-owned by the brother of Kosovo's Prime Minister is on the verge of completing a big residential development that is expected to earn a handsome profit of up to 4 million euro.
Kosovo Officials Stay Hooked on Luxury Cars
Despite a pledge to slash the use of ministerial cars and cut fuel costs, spending on luxury cars and travel continues to rocket.
Albania’s Power Crisis Pinned on Company Errors
Irresponsible exports of electricity by the Power Corporation in 2011 played a key role in fomenting the worst energy crisis in Albania’s modern history.
Kosovo Mayor’s Funders Demand Their Payback
Businesses that funded the mayor of Prizren’s election campaign in return for the promise of tenders accuse him of reneging on his pledges, an investigation has revealed.
Kosovo Signs Second US Lobbyist for $50,000-a-Month
Hashim Thaci’s government has signed up its second Washington-based lobbyist in less than a year at a cost of 50,000 dollars a month.
Kosovo Fritters Away Shrinking Science Budget
Money set aside for scientific advances in Kosovo has fallen sharply in recent years – and much of what remains has disappeared on foreign research trips and the printing of patriotic novels, Balkan Insight has discovered.
Kosovo Steel Plant Linked to Russian Oligarch
Balkan Insight can reveal that Jeton Sadiku, new owner of Kosovo’s Llamkos steel plant, had close ties to one of Russia’s richest oligarchs, and may have been ineligible to buy the facility.
Albania Turned Blind Eye to Illegal Waste Imports
Data obtained by Balkan Insight show that thousands of tons of dangerous waste were imported into Albania over the past decade despite an official ban.
Kosovo Mayor Earns Fortune From Free Gift
Blerim Kuci, a senior Kosovo politician, has generated more than 3 million euro from an apartment block built in Suhareka public land and given to him for free in unclear circumstances.
Kosova Petrol “Occupying” Croatian Property
Lobbying by Croatian leaders and legal action have failed to prise more than 20 petrol stations away from Kosova Petrol, owned by a former advisor to PM Hashim Thaci, and back to its pre-war Croatian owners, INA.
Secret Waste Imports Alarm Albania’s Greens
Activists say Balkan Insight’s discovery that hundreds of tons of hazardous waste entered the country without any records makes a mockery of the government’s environmental pledges.
Ghost Companies Stalk Albania’s Energy Ambitions
Aspiration to become a regional electricity powerhouse by building hundreds of new power plants are running into sand amid allegations of corruption and murky bidding procedures.
