Aurel Hoxhallari, one of the internationally wanted persons, was extradited to Albania from Romania today, as part of the international police operation “The Wanted”.
In the case of Devi Kasmi’s murder, Hoxhallari is considered by SPAK to be the organizer and the one who ordered the execution. Kasmi was shot dead on January 29, 2018, on “Kongresi i Manastirit” street in Tirana.
Greek citizen Ethimios Efthimiou, accused of being a paid executioner, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for this event.
Life imprisonment for the murder of Kasmi
The Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime found Aurel, alias Altin, Hoxhallari guilty of “premeditated murder for profit”, committed in collaboration and in the form of a structured criminal group, sentencing him to life imprisonment.
In addition to murder, the court also found him guilty of illegal possession and production of weapons, including large quantities of weapons and ammunition, as well as production and sale of narcotics, narcotics cultivation, and organized criminal group. The sentences for these offenses ranged from 5 to 15 years in prison, but after joining them, the final sentence was life imprisonment.
SPAK investigations revealed that Hoxhallari was suspected of having an organizing role in Kasmi’s execution. Former Greek commando Ethimios Efthimiou was also implicated in the case, who was arrested by Albanian authorities and also sentenced to life imprisonment.
Aurel Hoxhallari was not an unknown name to Albanian authorities. In January 2015, he and his cousin, Elton Hoxhallari, were arrested as suspects in the murder of Pajtim Sejrani on “Rruga e Kavajës” in Tirana. They were later released by the Serious Crimes Court due to lack of evidence.
Hoxhallari has also been linked in investigations to narcotics activity and the activities of a criminal group with activities outside Albania.
His assets have also been seized.
In another proceeding, the GJKKO, at the request of SPAK, has ordered the seizure of several assets linked to Aurel Hoxhallari and persons associated with him. Among them are buildings in Yzberisht, Unazë e Re and the Kodër-Mëzezi area, including apartments and warehouses. Asset administration documents confirm that some of these assets have been subject to the confiscation process.
Hoxhallari’s extradition to Albania is part of three new phases of the “The Wanted” operation. In the same operation, the Police also announced the arrest in Rinas of Bujar Bujës, 43, wanted by Spanish authorities for drug trafficking and participation in a criminal organization, while Xhuljano Hoxha, 31, wanted for drug trafficking and participation in a structured criminal group, was extradited to Albania from London.
Interpol Tirana, in cooperation with its Romanian counterparts, is continuing the procedures for completing the extradition documentation of Hoxhallari and his handover to the Albanian authorities.