The trial against Laert Haxhiu began this Tuesday at the Special Court.
As journalist Anila Hoxha reports, Laert Haxhiu has submitted a written statement, through which he informs the court that he does not wish to participate in the judicial process.
However, he has announced that he agrees to be represented by his defense lawyers, Detar Hysi and Dritan Jahaj. The court announced that the process is in the witness questioning phase.
A total of 12 witnesses appeared in today’s session, who are expected to testify as part of the court trial against the defendant.
The process continues with the administration of evidence and the hearing of witnesses summoned by the court.
The prisons bring Xhuliano Xhaferraj as a witness, who testifies to the murder of his brother, Fridman Xhaferraj, found dead on June 13, 2021 in a reservoir in Korça, according to the official version of the prosecution.
Court: In this process, you also have the status of a victim. Today you have been called as a witness against Laert Haxhiu.
Court: Have you been convicted before?
Witness: Yes, for theft.
Court: What now?
Witness: Yes, I am in Fier Prison for theft.
SPAK Prosecutor: Mr. Xhuliano, thank you for coming. You are here to testify about the murder of your brother, Fridman Xhaferraj.
Xhuliano Xhaferraj: I was in prison, they took me to the police station and asked me: “Have you spoken, do you know anything?” They checked it out. After a few hours, they found out it was my brother.
SPAK Prosecutor: Did they let you out of prison?
Witness: That day I was released on parole because I had finished my sentence. I hadn’t heard anything. When I went home, I saw the police checking me.
Prosecutor: When you were released, where did you go?
Witness: At my father-in-law’s house.
Prosecutor: Did the parents find out?
Witness: I don’t have parents.
Prosecutor: Where did Brother Fridman live?
Witness: He had fled. He had told me he was abroad. He had told me about 20 days in prison that he would flee abroad, to Italy. I had separated and was with my children and daughter-in-law, so he didn’t tell me much. We were three children: me, Fridman and Aleksandr. His sons had been cut off and they had separated in Elbasan. He was with Lul Spahina and Kristi Bixheri. My other brother told me these names. When Fridman was alive, he was with them. The younger brother left Fridman with Lul and Kristi in Elbasan and had left. Fridman was going to flee to Greece.
Witness: That’s all I know. I don’t know anything else, because I was in prison.
Prosecutor: When did your brother tell you this, did he tell you in prison or at your father-in-law’s house?
Witness: He told me at his father-in-law’s house.
Prosecutor: Who do you think killed your brother?
Witness: I don’t know. Qamili, Laerti’s father, told me from close quarters that they had no say at all, because our lands are nearby. He spoke to me on the street and said: “My son has no say.” I replied: “I don’t know anything.”
Witness: I asked him what had happened, because I heard that it was rumored that he had been with Laertes. That’s what was said in Lushnja. I don’t know anything at all.
Witness: The words in Lushnja were open that the order to kill him had been given by Laertes. I have seen to my own business.
Witness: I didn’t know his company, because I’m a family member. I know that my brother used narcotics, as far as I know cocaine and hashish. As far as I know, he even sold them. As far as I know, he was arrested once for resisting the police. He was in prison three times and was also in Peqin. I don’t remember well, but I know he stayed for 11 days. I remember that his Peqin Prison record was also found and he was identified from that record.
Prosecutor: Today, can you tell me why they killed him?
Witness: I heard that it’s talk about drugs and weapons, but I’m not sure.
Prosecutor: Have you heard of Artan Tafani?
Witness: Yes, I know. We were in prison in Rrogozhina. Besides, when we went out for a walk, the children would also play with each other.
Prosecutor: Have you used drugs yourself?
Witness: No, no. Some cigarettes, very rarely.
Prosecutor: To your knowledge, did your brother know Artan Tafan?
Witness: Yes, he knew him, because he had him in prison in Rrogozhina.
Detar Hysi, lawyer for Laert Haxhiu: Do you know citizen Laert Haxhiu?
Witness: Yes.
Detar Hysi: What kind of relationships do you have?
Witness: My father and his father have friendly relations.
Lawyer: Have any of Laert Haxhi’s family members visited you?
Witness: No.
Lawyer: Why do you think Laert Haxhia did it?
Witness: No, I’m not at all convinced that Laertes did it. I don’t believe it at all.
Lawyer: Did you state that Tafani used drugs?
Witness: Yes, he consumed everything, even “red”. I saw him myself in prison, even in Rrogozhina Prison.
Lawyer: So, Tafani is a regular drug user?
Witness: Yes.