Albanian police arrest fugitive Ylli Zalla in Krujë

Albanian authorities have arrested Ylli Zalla, a highly sought individual considered a high social risk, during a police operation code-named ‘Fundi i Arratisë’ in Krujë. The operation was carried out by the RENEA special forces, the Directorate of Special Operational Forces, and local police units. Zalla, who has been wanted since 2025, has a criminal history involving the production of improvised explosives and alleged links to weapons investigations. Following an incident involving explosives at his residence, political leader Sali Berisha claimed that Zalla surrendered rather than being captured, accusing the government of misinformation.

In a separate criminal matter, police in Mirditë arrested an individual caught in the act of setting fires, which destroyed approximately 400m² of forest land. Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari and Defense Minister Ermal Nufi both condemned the act, calling for maximum legal penalties against arsonists. Berisha has used these incidents, along with ongoing wildfires, to criticize the government, alleging that the country is under the control of crime and that firefighters have not received promised compensation.