Man faces murder charges over drill video stabbings
A man has appeared in court after being extradited to the UK.
A man who was extradited to the UK from Kosovo has appeared in court charged with two counts of murder, following two fatal stabbings in London.
Lorik Lupqi, 21, has been charged with the murders of 15-year-old Leonardo Reid, and 23-year-old Klevi Shekaj who died after being stabbed at a drill music video shoot in Elthorne Road, Archway, north London, on June 29 2023.
Lupqi, a Kosovan national, was extradited from his home country and was arrested after arriving in the UK on Tuesday, a court heard.
The 21-year-old is also charged with the attempted murder Abdullah Abdiullahi, 28, who was injured in the same incident.
Lupqi appeared at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and attended the Old Bailey on Friday by video link.
Other defendants awaiting trial
Prosecutor Ben Lloyd told the hearing on Friday that there are already four other defendants in this case awaiting trial.
The prosecution applied for Lupqi's case to be joined to that of Jason Furtado, 26, Abel Chunda, 27, Eden Clark, 29, and Xavier Poponne, 21, who are all charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Furtado, Chunda and Clark are also charged with one count of possession of an offensive weapon each.
Poponne is charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Judge Mark Dennis KC directed for Lupqi's case to be joined up with the other defendants'.
Lupqi was remanded in custody ahead of a plea hearing on January 27 alongside Furtado, Chunda, Clark and Poponne.
The trial date has been set for March 17 2025 and is due to last eight weeks.