Who is Esmeralda Hasani, the new head of SHISH who succeeded Vlora Hyseni?

Esmeralda Hasani was nominated by the Prime Minister and appointed by President Bajram Begaj to lead the State Intelligence Service (SHISH). She replaces Vlora Hyseni, who left the post following developments related to SPAK’s investigations.

But who is the new head of the country’s most important intelligence institution?

Hasani’s professional background is primarily in law, academia, public administration and European project management.

She studied international law at the University of Milan and completed postgraduate studies in European project planning and management in Brussels.

Her academic background also includes doctoral studies, and she has taught European law.

Professionally, Hasani has held several positions in various institutions and organizations.

From 2015 to 2019, she headed the Barleti Institute for Research and Development. In 2017 and 2018, she served as an adviser and chief of staff to the Minister of State for the Diaspora.

In 2018, she also joined the leadership structures of the National Diaspora Agency as the minister’s representative.

She has also been described as a senior consultant at the Prime Minister’s Office, working on project planning and securing funding.

Hasani is a co-author of a study published in 2023 on Albania’s legal and institutional framework for countering violent extremism in cyberspace.

She previously worked at SHISH, where she headed the Support Department while Vlora Hyseni led the institution.