Albanian authorities have confirmed the arrest in France of Ermal Beqiri, 44, who was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued at the request of Albania's Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK).

According to the Albanian State Police, Beqiri was arrested in the city of Amiens following cooperation and intelligence sharing between Interpol Tirana and Interpol Lyon.

SPAK had previously ordered Beqiri's pretrial detention on suspicion of multiple criminal offenses, including unlawful deprivation of liberty, unlawful competition through violence, violations of equality in public procurement procedures, participation in a structured criminal group, and money laundering.

Police said Beqiri was initially detained by the French Air and Space Force before being transferred to the French Gendarmerie, which is handling the case.

He is currently being held in custody in France and is expected to appear before the Criminal Court of Amiens on Thursday, where he will be formally notified of the international arrest warrant issued against him.

The hearing will mark the beginning of legal proceedings for his extradition to Albania, where he is wanted to face the charges brought by SPAK.

The Albanian State Police said the arrest was the result of continued cooperation between Albanian and French law enforcement authorities in tracking internationally wanted suspects.