Former New York City mayor Eric Adams obtains Albanian citizenship | Eric Adams
Eric Adams received citizenship and a passport from Albania, according to news on Friday from the Balkan country that received enthusiastic compliments from him during his visit months ago.
Albania Daily News first time reported He said that the former mayor of New York demanded both and that these rights were granted by a special decree of the president of the republic, Bayram Begaj. A spokesman for Adams confirmed that this development was confirmed in a statement distributed to the news media and that it was also expressly reported in Albania’s official government gazette.
The English translation of the diary entry, signed by Begaj, read: “On Eric Leroy Adams… I decree granting citizenship.” “This decree will come into force and be published immediately. [the] official newspaper.”
Adams previously made headlines by traveling to Albania for four days in October toward the end of his term as mayor of one of the world’s largest, most important cities.
During the trip, Adams and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama talked about stronger cooperation in tourism and technology.
Adams also said he would support a direct flight from New York to Albania, the Associated Press reported. noted. And he complimented Tirana, the capital of Albania.
“It’s a thriving community and you see the city moving in the right direction,” Adams said at the time.
Adams, a former New York police department (NYPD) captain, served as the city’s mayor from the beginning of 2022 until the end of 2025.
The Democrat backed out of seeking his party’s nomination as he ran for re-election amid a federal corruption case that was ultimately dismissed after extraordinary intervention by the Donald Trump administration. He tried campaigning as an independent but later withdrew from the mayoral race, supporting former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo and attacking progressive Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.
At one point, without explanation, Adams suggested that Mamdani’s election would increase the likelihood of a terrorist attack in New York.
“I don’t know what people’s problem is,” Adams said at a campaign event supporting Cuomo. Referring to recent terrorist incidents in Europe and Africa, Adams added: “You see what is happening in other countries because of Islamic extremism.”
Mamdani defeated Cuomo decisively in November and succeeded Adams, becoming New York City’s first Muslim mayor.
In March, Mamdani’s administration moved to stop representing Adams in a lawsuit alleging the former mayor sexually assaulted a woman more than three decades ago. The lawsuit was filed while Adams was still mayor under a state law that extended the time limit for filing sexual assault lawsuits.
Adams has vehemently denied the allegations made against him in the lawsuit. The plaintiff, who publicly identifies herself as Lorna Beach-Mathura, alleges that while they worked together at New York City’s transit police bureau in 1993, she solicited a sexual favor in exchange for help advancing her career.
According to website Shehu and PartnersA legal services office in Tirana, Albania, allows foreign adults to obtain immediate citizenship when deemed to be in the country’s national interest, provided they do not pose a threat to public security.
Adams spokesman Todd Shapiro said in a statement reported by a New York television station: WABC Albania’s decision to make his client a citizen [an] lasting relationship and mutual respect”.
Shapiro’s statement continued, in part: “Leaders around the world… have historically been recognized with honorary or dual citizenship as a symbol of international partnership and shared values.” “This recognition [for Adams] “It further strengthens the bond between New York and Albania.”
Associated Press contributed reporting
