Four arrested in UK over Albanian "assassination"
The four are accused of conspiring to murder an Albanian businessman, shot last month
It has emerged four people were arrested in the UK over the bank holiday weekend, charged with conspiracy to murder, in connection with an alleged assassination in Albania.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has confirmed Steven Hunt (49), Thomas Mithan (35) and Harriet Bridgeman (27) all from Bristol are wanted in Albania for conspiracy to commit murder, as is Edmond Haxhia (37) from Birmingham.
heat radio understands it relates to the killing of an Albanian businessman named Ardian Nikulaj, who was shot six times by a masked gunman in the town of Shengjin, on 19 April.
Albanian media report that Nikulaj was killed because of a feud between his and another family.
All four now face extradition to Albania for trial.
“On Saturday (29 April), in the areas of Bristol and Birmingham, officers from the National Extradition Unit arrested three men and a woman wanted in Albania for conspiracy to commit murder," a spokesperson from the NCA said.
"This offence took place on 19 April.
“Steven Hunt (DoB 10/02/1974) and Thomas Mithan (DoB 08/04/1988), both from Bristol, and Edmond Haxhia (Dob 20/09/1985), from Birmingham appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday for commencement of extradition proceedings.
“Harriet Bridgeman (DoB 13/09/1995), also from Bristol, appeared at the same court yesterday (1 May)."
All four have been remanded in custody and are due to appear in court again on Friday (5 May).
Footage of the murder has been shared by Albian police and shows a man in a high vis jacket and helmet walk into a cafe where Nikulaj is sat, before pulling out a handgun and shooting him.
“The Albanian authorities have expressed their thanks to the National Extradition Unit for locating and arresting the individuals sought," the NCA spokesperson added.