Artan Myrtaj had just been released from prison when he was shot dead near the area known as “Old Agency” in Saranda this morning. Xhevdet Skëndaj, a bystander, was also injured in the incident.
Myrtaj, 44 years old, known by the nickname “Tani i Ruzhdiut”, had previous criminal records.
He was arrested in 2025, after being suspected of being involved in the incident that occurred on July 17, 2025, in neighborhood no. 4 of Saranda, where Ernest Lama and Gëzim Hajdaraj, from Kamza, were injured with gunfire.
Investigations revealed that the suspected perpetrator of the injury was 44-year-old Ramadan Zoto.
Artan Myrtaj, Klaus Jacaj and Erjon Canaj were suspected of having helped Zoto escape after the crime. For this reason, they were charged with “supporting the perpetrator of the crime.”
It was precisely the injury of two friends of Ervis Lamaj, considered the leader of a dangerous criminal group, that allegedly sparked a bloody revenge saga.
Initially, Isuf Jacaj, Klaus Jacaj’s father, was killed with TNT. Later, TNT was also placed on the property of Ramadan Zoto.
The latter is in custody together with Klaus Jacaj, while Artan Myrtaj had just been released from prison when he was executed this morning.
Only Erjon Canaj remains wanted as a suspect for involvement in the injury of Lamaj and Hajdaraj.
The cause of the conflict between the parties is suspected to be property.
Ervis Lamaj’s group is suspected of gaining ground in Saranda and being involved in a series of criminal events, including mafia assassinations and disappearances.
As part of the investigation, a lead is also being verified that connects the incident to the assassination attempt on Rexhep Isamili, who was shot at a gas station.
Also, the authorities are paying attention to other serious events of recent years, including the TNT attack on Isuf Jacaj, as well as the disappearance of Leonard Thodhori and Fatmir Krasniqi, who have been missing since 2023.
However, to this day, there is no official confirmation linking these events to the execution of Artan Myrtaj.
These are leads that are being verified by the investigative group and authorities are expected to determine whether there is a concrete connection between the events.
Following the assassination, numerous police forces and an investigative team arrived at the scene, while checkpoints were set up and work is underway to identify and capture the perpetrators.
Investigators are analyzing security cameras in the area where the assassination took place, while other evidence is expected to be collected that could help shed light on the dynamics of the event and the motive for the execution.