This is a story that has been making waves this summer in France.
Albanian entrepreneur Ermal Beqiri was arrested in Albert, in the Somme department, after flying an aircraft over the Penly nuclear power plant, in Seine-Maritime.
According to the French newspaper 'Le Courrier Picard', he was tried in an expedited procedure at the Amiens court and sentenced to a fine of 7,000 euros for this violation.
The incident occurred at the beginning of August.
But the story doesn't end here.
Currently, Beqiri is imprisoned in Beauvais prison and his first request for release has been rejected.
The reason is that Albania has requested his extradition, so that he can also be tried in his country of origin. He is under investigation by the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), which suspects his involvement in a criminal network. Until the extradition procedures are completed, Beqiri will remain in custody.
The case also has a connection to the Oise department in France. According to a statement from Albanian authorities, Albania has requested the seizure of his assets in France, pending legal proceedings. Among these assets is a “castle in Oise, north of Paris”, which is said to have been purchased for around 2.6 million euros. It is the Château d'Auteuil, located in Berneuil-en-Bray.
A topic not talked about in the castle
This magnificent red-brick castle, located on the outskirts of the village of Berneuil-en-Bray, has been offering luxury accommodation to visitors for several years. Its official website states that the facility is managed by the Darondeau–de La Pintière couple, who purchased the monument in 2003 and have invested years in its restoration.
Nowhere on the website is Ermal Beqiri's name mentioned. Only in the legal information section can his name be found. According to the report, the entire complex appears to be owned by him. This has also been confirmed by the new mayor of the municipality, Simon Muller.
When reporters contacted the castle by phone, the topic was not well received. A woman who answered the phone declined to comment on the matter.
Even when asked only to confirm whether Ermal Beqiri is the owner of the castle, she replied: "I'm sorry, I can't answer you. I wish you a good evening."
In the village there seems to be very little connection between the castle owner and the local community.
Simon Muller, who has held the position of mayor since March, said he has only met Beqiri once and completely by chance.
It remains unclear at the moment whether the possible seizure of this property, which Albanian authorities consider to be property of criminal origin, will have any impact on the small community of Berneuil-en-Bray./ oisehebdo.fr