The Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) has submitted its request in one of the most high-profile organized crime cases in Albania, concerning the murders of Vajdin Lamaj and Klodian Saliu, which took place in 2005. SPAK has requested sentences of 25 years in prison each for six defendants accused of involvement in these incidents.
According to the request submitted by the Prosecution, 25-year prison sentences have been sought for Lulzim Berisha, Emiljano Shullaza, Viktor Imeraj, also known as Viktor Bajraktari, Indrit Taullai, Indrit Rusi and Plaurent Dervishi. Meanwhile, an 8-year prison sentence has been requested for Luftar Reçi, due to his cooperation with the authorities.
The murders of Lamaj and Saliu occurred in February 2005. For years, this case has been the focus of investigations aimed at identifying the perpetrators and uncovering the circumstances that led to their execution.
The first incident took place on 26 February 2005, at around 10:00 p.m., on the Durrës–Maminas road axis, near the village of Koxhaj. Klodian Saliu was travelling in his Mercedes-Benz when he was shot at with a firearm. He was killed, while the other person in the vehicle, O. Truma, was wounded.
Just one day later, on 27 February 2005, another serious incident shook Tirana. An explosive device detonated in the apartment building where businessman Vajdin Lamaj lived, on “Dervish Hima” street, killing him and his friend, Artan Arsi.