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Morocco Arrests Suspect in Albanian Businessman’s Murder, Extradition Uncertain
Tuesday 9 May 2023, by
The alleged perpetrator of the murder of Albanian businessman Ardian Nikulaj in Shëngjin has been arrested in Morocco by the police. Ruben Saraiva, a 28-year-old Portuguese, was located thanks to information provided by Interpol Tirana and Interpol Rabat.
However, according to an Euronews Albania journalist, he can only be transferred to Albania in exchange for a Moroccan prisoner who would have been arrested in the country, as Albania and Morocco do not have an extradition agreement.
"People involved in such acts usually flee to places where there are no extradition agreements," explains the journalist.
The police are currently looking for only one person for the businessman’s murder. Harry Simson, a British citizen, is still on the run. As for Edmond Haxhia, Stephen Hunt, Thomas Mithan and Harriet Bridgeman, they were arrested during an operation by the British National Crime Agency in London.
Edmond Haxhia, who holds both Albanian and British nationality, is linked to the Lestakaj family, who have been in conflict with the Nikulaj family since a bloody vendetta seven years ago. Elton and Klodian Lestakaj had then accused Ardian and Arben Nikulaj of having killed two members of their family.