Albanian media have reported that Albania’s Interior Ministry has declared two citizens of North Macedonia — controversial Skopje imam Bekir Halimi and politician Valon Bela — personae non gratae and banned them from entering the country. According to the reports, both have been placed on Albania’s blacklist following an assessment that they represent a threat to national security, the constitutional order, and the sovereignty of Albania, as well as a threat to public order and peace.
Based on media reports in Albania, according to assessments, there are suspicions that both are members of terrorist organizations that support and carry out anarchistic actions against the Albanian state. Halimi is a radical imam from Skopje. The Islamic Religious Community (IRC) expelled him from its ranks in 2016. However, he later returned as head of the Islamic library in Skopje.
Bela is a politician who, seven years ago, was a representative of DUI and served as the Economic Director of the Gynecology Clinic. Asked about Albania’s decision declaring him persona non grata, Bela said it was politically motivated.