The number of murders increased significantly in 2021, according to data from the police. There were 60 murders during the 12 months of the year, eight more than in 2021, a 13% increase.
The number of mafia-type murders and those linked to organised crime has also remained high during the year.
“We continue to remain a country where much of what happens is because of weak motives and ongoing quarrel. A certain category is murders with organised crime in the background,” said Tonin Vocaj, Director for the Department for Criminal Police.
Some 30% of all murders involved those suspected of links to criminal gangs. Vocaj said investigations into these murders are ongoing.
The capital of Tirana saw the most murders in 2021, related to its large population. Fier and Shkodra were also problematic, with the highest number of homicides after Tirana.
Even more concerning is that nearly 30% of all murders in 2021 were committed by men against their domestic or former domestic partners. The majority of victims were women and girls with protection orders against the assailant.
2021 was also the year that Director-General of the State Police Ardi Veliu resigned following a string of bloody murders in the summer. Gledis Nano took over and changed 11 regional police leaders immediately.
“The fight against serious crimes, detection, documentation and bringing to justice the perpetrators who commit criminal murders in Albania will remain an important challenge for the police for 2022,” said Vocaj.
