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| Eftimiu8 Eftimiu in the body-building version showing his body and muscles |
The Supreme Court has upheld the life imprisonment sentence for former Greek special forces officer Eftimiu Eftimiu, who was convicted for the brutal murder of Devi Kasmi in Tirana in January 2018.
The crime, which shocked both Albania and Greece, took place on January 29, 2018. Eftimiu, an ex-commando with a background in Greece's elite military units, was found guilty of orchestrating and executing the murder. The court’s decision aligns with the prosecution's request, as SPAK (Special Anti-Corruption Structure) had also called for the maximum penalty against Eftimiu.
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Co-Conspirators and Additional Sentences
The appeals chamber of the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) also sentenced Elton Halipaj, another defendant in the case, to 33 years in prison. Halipaj was accused of providing Eftimiu with the tools necessary to carry out the assassination.
Meanwhile, four other individuals arrested as part of the investigation remain in custody. These suspects are believed to have created the logistical support network for the killing. The court refused to grant bail to any of them, including Eftimiu, despite his lawyer's claim that the former officer was merely a tourist who had entered Albania legally.
The Investigation
The suspects were apprehended in a house in Kodër Mëzez, which served as their operational base. Law enforcement is still pursuing Aurel Hoxhallari, who is suspected of masterminding the crime.
Despite Eftimiu’s denial of the charges and his offer of a financial guarantee for bail, the court dismissed his claims. The case has been described as a cold-blooded, premeditated murder, with prosecutors presenting extensive evidence linking Eftimiu to the crime.
This high-profile case highlights the cross-border challenges in addressing organized crime and ensuring justice in such complex investigations.