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Dritan Dajti

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Dritan Dajti is considered as one of the most dangerous Mobsters in Albania. He is known for the brutal murder of four police officers August 7, 2009 during an operation to arrest him in Durrës.[1] The incident marked one of the deadliest confrontations between law enforcement and organized crime in the country’s history.

Dajti’s 2009 police shootout was linked to his earlier crime, the murder of businessman Agim Beqari on February 17, 1999. Agim Beqari was the president of "Besa Konstruksion" and was killed near "Zogu i Zi" in Tirana. During his trial, Dajti escaped from the Court of Tirana and lived on the run for more than 6 years. After 6 years, the police managed to find his location and attempted to arrest him. An exchange of fire took place at "Pista Iliria", a very crowded area in Durrës.[1] where four police officers were killed by Dajti. He was arrested and brought to the hospital with serious injuries after the shooting.

Dajti was convicted of four counts of murder and sentenced to four life sentences. The High Court of Albania ruled that his right to a defence lawyer had been violated, Dajti's sentence was reduced to 25 years.[2] Dajti received medical treatment in 2021.[3]

Criminal activities

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Dritan Dajti was born in Albania and became involved in organized crime from a young age. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Albanian criminal underworld, becoming a notorious figure involved in drug trafficking, contract killings, and other criminal activities.[4] By the late 1990s, he had established himself as a key player in Albania’s mafia, with strong connections in both the criminal and business communities.

One of the earliest high-profile crimes linked to Dajti was the murder of businessman Agim Beqari on February 17, 1999. Beqari was the president of the construction company “Besa Konstruktion,” and his murder near Zogu i Zi in Tirana was widely believed to be a contract killing. This incident marked the beginning of Dajti’s infamy as a dangerous figure in Albania.[5] During his trial for Beqari’s murder, Dajti escaped from custody and remained a fugitive for over six years, aided by corrupt elements within the police.

On August 7, 2009, Dajti was involved in a deadly shootout with Albanian police in Durrës. When officers attempted to arrest him, Dajti opened fire, killing four members of the special operations unit: Fatos Xhani, Kastriot Feskaj, Saimir Duçkollari, and Altin Dizdari.[6] Despite being wounded, Dajti was captured and taken into custody.

Dritan Dajti was convicted of four counts of murder and initially sentenced to life imprisonment. However, in a controversial decision in 2019, the Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to 25 years, citing procedural violations regarding his legal defense.[7] This sparked widespread outrage, as Albania’s Penal Code prohibits sentence reductions for crimes punishable by life imprisonment.[8] The decision drew criticism from government officials, the public, and international observers.[9]

In 2020, the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK) cleared three judges involved in reducing Dajti’s sentence of corruption charges, despite investigations revealing illegal weapons and significant cash in the home of one of the judges.[10] However, Judge Miliana Muça demanded further investigations into the case, casting doubt on the integrity of the ruling. In 2021, SPAK demanded that Dritan Dajti's assets be confiscated.[11]

On the 15th anniversary of the 2009 police shootout, on August 2024, a memorial was unveiled at a commemorative ceremony by the Police Directorate in Durrës to honor the four officers killed during the operation. The memorial was created by sculptor Ardian Pepa. The Durrës City Council named the street where the officers were killed “Dëshmorët e Policisë” (Martyrs of the Police), further solidifying their legacy as national heroes. However, just a month after, the memorial was unexpectedly removed, reportedly to clear space for the platform on which it was placed.[12] This decision sparked additional controversy, further fueling public debates around Dajti’s case and the justice system’s handling of the murders.

Dajti remains incarcerated at the Peqin prison and has recently filed for release, claiming to have served his 25-year sentence. His defense argues that the Prosecutor’s Office has yet to issue an execution order for the life sentence reinstated by the Supreme Court, making his continued imprisonment unlawful. The Elbasan court is currently reviewing his request.[13][14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Wanted Albanian Criminal Kills Five in Shootout". BalkanInsight.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  2. ^ "Court Ruling Cutting Police Killer's Sentence Outrages Albania". Balkan Insight. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Ex-Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison, Now Released on Probation". Exit - Explaining Albania. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Gjykata e Lartë rikthen burgimin e përjetshëm për Dritan Dajtin". Reporter.al. 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  5. ^ "Gjykata e Lartë rikthen burgimin e përjetshëm për Dritan Dajtin". Reporter.al. 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  6. ^ "The trial for Dritan Dajti, the murderer of four police officers in Durrës, is postponed". Vox News. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  7. ^ "Court Releases Another Convicted Murderer and Gang Member". Exit - Explaining Albania. 2020-01-21. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  8. ^ "Vrau katër policë, rikthehet burgimi i përjetshëm për Dritan Dajtin! Gjykata e Lartë zhbën vendimin e Apelit që e dënoi 25 vite". Shqiptarja.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  9. ^ "Newly Established Special Anti-corruption Prosecution Clears 3 Judges of Corruption in 4 Police Officers Murder Case". Exit - Explaining Albania. 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  10. ^ "Newly Established Special Anti-corruption Prosecution Clears 3 Judges of Corruption in 4 Police Officers Murder Case". Exit - Explaining Albania. 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  11. ^ "SPAK demands that Dritan Dajti's assets be confiscated". tiranapost.al. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  12. ^ K, V. (2024-09-04). "U inaugurua një muaj më parë, hiqet memoriali për katër policët e vrarë nga Dritan Dajti në Durrës". Albeu.com. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  13. ^ "Dritan Dajti files another request for release from the cell". Vox News. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  14. ^ "Court in Elbasan Postpones Session on Dritan Dajti". ALBANIA DAILY NEWS. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
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