# Political and social unrest in Albania and North Macedonia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/political-and-social-unrest-in-albania-and-north-macedonia
> Updated: 2026-08-26T19:02:20.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 2.

Political and social unrest has emerged in Albania and North Macedonia. In Albania, youth-led protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration have drawn international attention due to concerns regarding autocratic governance. In North Macedonia, the Alliance for Albanians criticized a state ceremony for the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Rapid Intervention Unit, alleging the event constituted an “institutional erasure” of the Albanian community by failing to include the language or ethnic participation.

In Albania, the situation escalated following the arrest of businessman Ergys Agasi in Durrës by the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK). The arrest, occurring on August 26, 2026, followed a long-term investigation involving the State Police and the National Investigation Bureau (BKH). Agasi, who had been wanted since December 2025, was apprehended in the Plepa area alongside Uljan Shpataraku, a former police officer arrested for supporting a criminal authority.

Agasi faces multiple charges, including membership in a structured criminal group, money laundering, active corruption of public officials, and violations regarding public tenders. The investigation is linked to the AKSHI scandal involving the manipulation of public funds. 

Opposition leaders have linked the arrest to internal government fractures. Democratic Party Deputy Belind Këlliçi suggested the move may be a maneuver by former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku to pressure the Prime Minister. Other figures, including Klevis Balliu and Sali Berisha, characterized Agasi as a coordinator for organized crime and drug cartels, with Berisha questioning whether the arrest was a genuine law enforcement action or a “conditional surrender.”

## Claims

- Ergys Agasi was arrested on August 26, 2026, in the Plepa area at the southern entrance of Durrës. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Uljan Shpataraku, a former police officer, was arrested in flagrante for supporting a criminal authority. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Agasi is being investigated for unfair competition through violence, unlawful deprivation of liberty, violation of equality in public tenders, and money laundering. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Agasi was officially registered under investigation in criminal proceeding no. 20/1 on December 5, 2025. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The arrest of Ergys Agasi may be linked to internal power struggles between former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku and Prime Minister Edi Rama. (single source)
- SPAK is reportedly formalizing a second request for the immunity of Belinda Balluku. (single source)
- Ergys Agasi held power delegated by Edi Rama and represented his interests among criminal groups and administration leaders. (single source)
- The arrest of Ergys Agasi began in Elbasan and concluded in Durrës while he was in a vehicle with Uljan Shpataraku. (single source)
- Sali Berisha questioned whether the arrest was a genuine law enforcement action or a conditional surrender. (single source)
- Ergys Agasi acted as a full coordinator for Edi Rama regarding criminal organizations and drug cartels. (single source)
- Agasi is being questioned by BKH investigators at the Tirana Police Directorate. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Ergys Agasi arrested in Durrës by SPAK following long-term investigation

Albanian authorities arrested businessman Ergys Agasi and former officer Uljan Shpataraku in Durrës. Agasi faces charges including organized crime, corruption, and money laundering related to the AKSHI scandal.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ergys-agasi-arrest-triggers-political-controversy-in-albania

### 2026-08-23: Albania and North Macedonia face political and social tensions

Political unrest and social tensions rise in Albania and North Macedonia, marked by anti-government protests, religious disputes in Kosovo, and criticism of ethnic representation in state ceremonies.

24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zogaj-residents-protest-construction-of-new-catholic-church

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Cite as: Political and social unrest in Albania and North Macedonia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/political-and-social-unrest-in-albania-and-north-macedonia