Enver Sekiraqa
![]() | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Enver Sekiraqa | |
---|---|
Born | |
Criminal status | Escaped |
Criminal charge | Incitement to commit serious murder, coercion |
Penalty | 25 years in prison |
Wanted since | August, 2007 |
Escaped | May 17, 2024 |
Details | |
Victims | Triumf Riza |
Date | August 30, 2007 |
Location(s) | Priština, Kosovo |
Date apprehended | September 28, 2012 |
Enver Sekiraqa (born 18 November 1974 in Priština, Kosovo) is Kosovo's previous most wanted man,[1] and was sought by the Kosovo Police and Interpol in connection with an investigation into organized crime and murder of police officer Triumf Riza. He was arrested in Pristina in September 2012 when he handed himself over to EULEX and the Kosovo Police after four years on the run.[1][2]
Since his arrest, he has been convicted three separate times for the crimes of incitement to commit serious murder and coercion, Sekiraqa was also originally charged for rape but these charges were later dropped in the first trial.[3] In his first trial, Sekiraqa was sentenced to 37 years on 17 May, 2016, this was appealed and reduced to 30 years on 16 September, 2019, and appealed a second time and reduced to 25 years on 3 May, 2024.[3]
Two weeks after his third and currently final trial, Sekiraqa was not found when the police came to apprehend him.[4] Due to a court decision after this trial, Sekiraqa was allowed to be free while waiting for the court decision to be finalized, with no detention measures put in place; and by the date of 17 May 2024, when the Court of Appeal had accepted Sekiraqa's 25 year sentence, he was not found at his residence.[4] This escape has put the judges' of Sekiraqa's case into question and even brought up concerns of corruption, with Albulena Haxhiu, Kosovo's Minister of Justice, saying "This case, among others, also raises suspicions of involvement in corruption, therefore there should be a professional investigation and responsibility from those who made this escape possible".[4]
Sekiraqa Bar bombing 2007
[edit]On the morning of 24 September 2007 near Bill Clinton Boulevard, Priština, inside a coffee bar owned by Sekiraqa, a C4 explosive went off, killing 2 people and wounding 11 others.[5][6] This bomb was found to be planted and detonated by six police officers, in an apparent attempt of intimidation towards Sekiraqa.[1] Two of the policemen that enacted this attack were arrested and convicted for first degree murder, serious injuries and inciting public risk[6], and a further two were arrested in connection to the attack.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Aliu, Fatmir (28 September 2012). "Alleged Kosovo Gangster Enver Sekiraqa Arrested". BalkanInsight. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "November Justice: Arrest of Enver Sekiraqa". EULEX Kosovo. 3 October 2012. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- ^ a b Ramaj, Saranda (3 May 2024). "Sekiraqa is sentenced to 25 years in prison, 17 years after the murder of Triumf Riza". Koha. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c Gashi, Rrezon (19 May 2024). "Enver Sekiraqa's escape raises suspicions of unprofessionalism and corruption". Koha. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Aliu, Fatmir (18 May 2012). "Four Arrested for the 2007 Sekiraqa Bombing". BalkanInsight. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b A'Mula, Shega (23 September 2009). "Two Kosovo Policemen Convicted of Bombing". BalkanInsight. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link)