
The date has been set when the Supreme Court of England is expected to consider the request made by Albania for the extradition of five suspects in the murder of Lezghian businessman Ardian Nikulaj, an event that occurred in April 2023.
Sources for journalist Muhamed Veliu have indicated that the appeal requested by the Albanian authorities is expected to be reviewed on March 10, 2027.
Parties to this process are Edmond Haxhia, Thomas Mithan, Harriet Bridgeman, Harry Simpson and Steven Hunt, who have been declared wanted by the Lezha Prosecutor's Office.
How did the murder of Ardian Nikulaj happen?
Ardian Nikulaj, a businessman from Lezion, was murdered in April 2023. He was sitting inside his bar when Portuguese citizen Ruben Saraiva, disguised in a diving suit, entered and shot him several times, leaving him dead on the spot.
According to investigations, the person who ordered the murder is suspected to be Edmond Haxhia, who, in collaboration with foreign citizens, had been observing Nikulaj's movements for days, also monitoring the hotel where he was staying, in order to determine the moment of execution.
After committing the crime, some of the perpetrators fled Albania through Rinas Airport, while others used land routes to Greece. However, they were arrested within a short time, one after the other.
Portuguese Ruben Saraiva has been found guilty of murder and has been sentenced to life in prison.
In these circumstances, the Republic of Albania has made a request to the Secretary of State for extradition, in which it is learned that the same provisions of the Albanian Criminal Code have been cited: "Murder due to blood feud", according to Article 78/a, and "Unauthorized production and possession of weapons and ammunition", according to Article 278/1, in relation to the definition of cooperation in the commission of a criminal offense, according to Article 25 of the Albanian Criminal Code.
At the conclusion of the extradition hearing, the requests aimed at the extradition of the persons to be prosecuted for the criminal offense of "Premeditated Murder", under Article 78 of the Albanian Criminal Code, in conjunction with Article 25.