Ermal Beqiri arrested as Albania's PD deputy chairman begins term

Albanian politician Këlliçi was elected deputy chairman of the Democratic Party (PD) and took office, replacing Luçiano Boçin. Within days, businessman Ermal Beqiri was detained by French authorities after an Interpol alert. The arrest is linked to a SPAK investigation into alleged irregularities in contracts with the AKSH agency. Beqiri faces extradition proceedings while the PD leadership change adds political tension in Tirana following months of protests.

The case highlights ongoing anti‑corruption efforts and internal power shifts within Albania's ruling opposition, with the PD seeking to reshape its image amid the controversy.