Fatos Lubonja: Rama is the godfather, while Agasi is the coordinator; more citizens will join the protest in September

Well-known analyst Fatos Lubonja has analyzed the latest political situation in Albania, focusing on the citizens’ protest, which has reached its 94th day, Agasi’s arrest, issues related to the justice system and construction permits.

According to him, the confrontation with the government is taking place under a regime, while the continuation of the protest will be determined by citizens’ ability to change the way they organize.

“We are facing a regime, and what comes next will depend greatly on protesters realizing that they need to move into another phase of organization and bring more people. Certainly, there will be more participants, but more work is also needed for the protest to turn into a movement. Different groups must unite, include others who are affected or influenced, and thereby expand. I have always insisted that, although frustration and insults are understandable at a protest, there must also be a vision for the Albania we want,” Lubonja declared.

Speaking about Agasi’s arrest, the analyst expressed reservations and raised questions about the reasons for the delay in his detention, as well as the developments that may have made it possible.

“Agasi’s arrest left me with doubts. The questions are natural: Why had he been on the run until now, and why was he arrested precisely at this moment? Could he not be located, or has something changed? Some say that the new police chief removed Agasi’s people from the police. It may also be a way to calm public opinion, while essentially no major change is taking place. It remains to be seen whether there was an agreement or whether we are dealing with a conflict between factions. We live in a country where trust in the rule of law is lacking,” he said.

Lubonja argued that Agasi cannot be seen as an individual who acted alone, but rather as part of a mechanism linked to those in power.

“Agasi is not a person detached from this story. He became involved in that scheme and could not have become what he did without the system established by Rama, as he is seen as the coordinator between organized crime and Rama. He is the coordinator, but Rama is the godfather. Will any evidence emerge proving this? How did Agasi obtain these tenders, and are the €33,000 wine bottles real?” the analyst asked.

Regarding justice reform, he said it was presented as an effort to reduce crime, but the concrete developments, in his view, have led to an increase in construction permits.

He added that, although authority over permits belongs to the municipalities, it has been concentrated in the hands of the prime minister, creating opportunities for money laundering. In this context, Lubonja also called for clarification regarding the “Aruba File.”

“That is precisely where the money laundering lies, and that is also where the Aruba file comes in, which is said to involve people from the government. SPAK must one day tell us whether or not government officials were involved in that case. They were drawn into the chess game,” Fatos Lubonja concluded.