RENEA’s action to arrest the much-wanted Ylli Zalla this Monday resulted in success, after several failed attempts throughout this year.
In the footage made public by the state police, the moment is seen when the 49-year-old is “grabbed” by RENEA Forces, wearing a hat and a cap that covers his face.
Who is Ylli Zalla?
Ylli Zalla has been wanted since November 2025, when an arsenal of weapons was discovered in his apartment, following investigations related to the assassination in Rinas. Zalla is suspected of being an accomplice in the November 2025 assassination that killed Gilmando Dani and Muçi Shaljani, charges that were never proven.
Meanwhile, 12 years ago, Ylli Zalla was arrested for making homemade bombs and was also involved in the production and sale of drugs. At that time, he was suspected of having links with the ISIS group to recruit Albanians for jihad. Years ago, he had also threatened the life of the owner of a cement company in Fushë Krujë.
Police announcement:
The police operation codenamed “End of the Escape” is being finalized, to capture a highly wanted and socially dangerous person.
The operation was carried out by the RENEA Special Forces, the Directorate of the Special Operational Force, the operational structures of the Tirana DVP and the Krujë Police Commissariat.
During the operation, in Kruja, the highly wanted person Ylli Zalla, who had managed to escape the Police several times, was captured.
As part of the “End of the Escape” operation, the Police services located the 49-year-old in a wooded area. At the time of his capture, a Kalashnikov firearm and 3 combs were found and seized from him.
On November 14, 2025, an arsenal of weapons, explosives, firearms, and ammunition was found in his apartment.
On February 20, following the checks carried out in the area surrounding and near the 49-year-old’s apartment, the services of the Krujë Police Commissariat found and seized an arsenal of weapons, explosives and combat ammunition, the narcotic Cannabis Sativa, police uniforms and other illegal items.
Also, on June 23, following the operations to capture him, during a search of the 49-year-old’s apartment, the Police services found and seized a pistol firearm with cartridges in the chamber, ready to fire, a mobile phone, combat ammunition and a frequency detector.
The procedural materials will be referred to the Prosecutor’s Office for further action./Top Channel