A 44-year-old Albanian man sentenced to 22 years in prison in Albania for the murder of two brothers in Shkodra has been arrested in Greece, following a joint operation between the police authorities of the two countries. The internationally wanted man had managed to evade justice by using a false identity, while his identification became possible through the analysis of biometric data.
The State Police announced that the arrest was carried out as part of another phase of the international operation coded “The Wanted”, in cooperation between the Interpol Directorate in Tirana, the Institute of Forensic Science and the Greek Police.
The arrested man is Mr. Preldakaj, also known as F. Preldakaj, 44 years old, who in Greece presented himself with the identity N. Pali and had also changed his date of birth.
According to the police, Preldakaj was sentenced in 2008 by the Shkodra Court to 22 years in prison for the criminal offense of “Murder under other aggravating circumstances, against two or more persons”, committed in complicity.
The event for which he was convicted took place in 2002, in the village of Shtoj i Vjetër in Shkodra. According to the investigation file, Preldakaj, together with two other persons, had gone to the premises of the two brothers with the aim of robbing the daily takings.
During the scuffle that followed the attempt to take the weapon from one of the perpetrators, one of the accomplices fired at the two brothers, who lost their lives at the scene.
Investigations have established that Preldakaj had stood at the entrance of the premises, covering and securing the actions of the two other persons. After the crime, he left together with them.
The 44-year-old is also suspected of another serious criminal incident outside Albania. In 2020, the Greek authorities charged him with the murder of two people in Corinth, a Greek citizen and a Ukrainian woman, whose bodies were found inside a vehicle.
In addition to these charges, he has a criminal record in Greece for armed robbery, violations of weapons legislation and gambling laws, as well as possession of narcotic substances.
Police clarified that his exact identification was carried out by experts of the Institute of Forensic Science, through in-depth examination of biometric data. This process made it possible for the authorities to confirm the identity of the person who was using altered documents and personal details.
Meanwhile, Interpol Tirana continues cooperation with its Greek counterparts to fully document his involvement in criminal activities and prepare the necessary documentation for extradition to Albania.