
Michael Snow, the extradition judge in a London court, accepted the conditional release of Harriet Bridgeman, arrested for the purpose of extradition to Albania as part of the group involved in the murder of Ardian Nikulaj.
Top Channel journalist Muhamed Veliu had exclusive access to follow the process online, from where Harriet Bridgeman's defense lawyer submitted the request for bail.
"She has a limited role in the event compared to others. It was just seen in that bar. Went to Albania for vacation. He left Albania 12 days before the murder. He learned about the murder from social networks. It has no tendency to disappear. There is no family connection with Albania or other countries. She has a 7-year-old daughter and is divorced from her husband. If he is kept in prison, contact with the child is limited. She has mental problems, so she is unemployed and receives social assistance. Being in prison would make his health worse. 20,000 pounds is the guarantee from her father," she said.
Zoe Lash, who represents the Albanian state, requesting extradition, opposed the change in the security measure for Harriet Bridgerman.
According to her, "parole is a reason to worry about her safety". She told the court that "we have received all the information from Albania and we refuse conditional freedom. These four people are accused of conspiracy in murder, today in front of this court.
The motorcycle used by the killers was found near the house of Mr. Haxhia, who together with his fiancee took the Portuguese from the airport. The murderer left Albania and fled towards Greece. Haxjia cousin with the Lekstakaj family. The blood feud between the two families dates back to 1997. Revenge-related murder. All the suspects were taken by Rinasi from Haxija, the organizer of the murder. The car used by Haxhia has been discovered. On April 3, Hunt arrived in Albania. They were taken from this car to the Lion hotel owned by the victim's brother. They recorded the murder scene by phone. They went to Athens by plane. They assisted Haxha, keeping the victim under surveillance.
Rëndesa e ngjarjes nuk mund të justifikoj lirinë me kusht. Ka arsye shqetësuese sigurie për këta persona tashmë të ndaluar. Harriet Bridgman, nuk u arrestua tek shtëpia e saj, nuk u gjet atje por tek ajo e prindërve. Ka deklaruar kur u arrestua se ka parë informacioner në Facebook, për këtë vrasje. Është e pa punë. Mbahet nga shteti përmes ndihmës sociale. Kemi të bëjmë me një vrasje e mirë menduar nga disa persona për arsye hakmarrje”.
Gjykatësi Snow nuk u bind nga këto argumente. Ndërsa avokati Thomas Mithan i tha gjykatës se klienti tij mbërriti në Shqipëri një ditë më vonë pas Harriet Bridgerman.
“Një ditë më pas ai largohet. Qëndroi 36 orë. Ai është takuar gjatë kësaj kohe bashkë me dy të akuzuarit e tjerë. Klienti im më pas nuk e di çfarë ndodhi. Nuk ka asnjë provë që e lidh atë me atë me vrasjen. Ishte ftuar nga Harriet Bridgeman, ajo kishte paguar fluturimin dhe qëndrimin. Por ai nuk qëndroi. Prova e Shqipërisë është se ai thjesht u shoqërua me dy të tjerët. Kaq thonë. Ne jemi të gatshëm të vendosim 5.000 paund garanci 3.000 paund më shumë se herën e shkuar, sikurse kushtin e mos-takimin me persona të lidhur në këtë ngjarje. Ka probleme dhe kurohet për probleme mendore”.
Gjykatësi Michael Snow e refuzoi lirinë me kusht të Thomas Mithan.
Edmond Haxhi's and Steven Hunt's requests for parole will be reviewed on June 2. Zoe Lash, the representative of the Albanian state in this process, announced an appeal to the English High Court Royal Court of Justice, for the conditional release of Harriet Bridgerman./ Tch