Belgian media outlet La Libre reported on the January 29 hearing in Brussels for the murder of Ardit Spahiu. The wife of Franc Çopja, who is the main defendant in the November 27 murder in Molenbeek, gave her testimony via video call from the United Arab Emirates.
She described him as a loyal, "non-aggressive" man who "never raised his voice." She also stressed that she was not aware of any criminal activity by the accused and said that her husband is innocent.
Another Albanian man in his 30s, from Elbasan, the victim's hometown, testified via videoconference. He said he knew both families, the Alibej and the Çopja, who had a feud between them that had been going on since at least December 2018. The judge asked the witness about a 2017 fight involving Franc Çopja.
The witness said it was just a “small disagreement” and a “simple fight” that escalated. The judge noted that the fight had been reported in Albanian media, which said weapons had been used. The witness said that part of the testimony given on Monday by the victim’s brother-in-law, who is a member of the Alibej family, is false.
According to the testimony of a DNA expert given at the same hearing, during the morning, no genetic material was found at the scene except that of Ardit Spahiu and the driver of the vehicle.
Franc Çopja is accused of being the organizer and mastermind of the murder, as well as the leader of a structured criminal group. According to the Belgian prosecution, he controlled drug trafficking and money laundering.
On December 30, 2023, he was extradited from Dubai to Belgium and has been in Haren prison since then. Since September 3, 2024, there has been an international arrest warrant against him issued by the Albanian authorities.