Greek authorities apprehended Jani Aliaj, a 48-year-old fugitive sentenced to life imprisonment in Albania, in the early hours of December 31, 2024. Aliaj, who had escaped from a Greek prison in 2015 after serving time for negligent homicide, was identified during a routine police stop for suspicious movements.
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The Arrest
According to an official statement by the Greek police, Aliaj was detained during a street patrol by the Rapid Response Team (DI.AS.). Initially, he presented a fake identity card under the name Aleksan Kreshnik, born in 1976. Upon further investigation at the police station, it was revealed that Aliaj was a fugitive who had escaped Greek custody on June 1, 2015. Additionally, he was wanted in Albania for premeditated murder and had been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Greek police statement reads:
“In the morning hours of 31.12.2024, a 48-year-old foreign fugitive, wanted for murder and subject to two international red notices, was arrested by members of the Rapid Response Team. He had previously escaped detention in our country and is being prosecuted for murder, among other charges.”
During the patrol, officers deemed his movements suspicious and conducted a stop. Using mobile data systems, they confirmed his possession of a forged identity document. The suspect was transferred to the Department of Prosecution and Criminal Investigation in Moschato, where preliminary investigations confirmed his true identity and criminal history.
Criminal Record
Jani Aliaj’s criminal record is extensive. In Greece, he was serving a life sentence and an additional two years and 12 months for the 2006 negligent killing of a fellow Albanian in West Attica, along with charges of grievous bodily harm and illegal possession of weapons. Internationally, he is linked to two murders committed in Albania in October 2015 and May 2016, which resulted in two Interpol red notices against him.
Background and Rivalry with Elton Çiço
Aliaj’s conviction in Albania stems from the 2006 murder of 20-year-old E. Ballazhiu, a close childhood friend of Elton Çiço. Ballazhiu’s death ignited a deep animosity between Aliaj and Çiço, leading to years of violent confrontations. Çiço, upon learning of Aliaj’s identity as the murderer, vowed revenge.
The two eventually crossed paths in Greece’s Koridallos prison. Aliaj was serving an 18-year sentence for murder, while Çiço was serving a five-year sentence for drug-related offenses. A physical altercation occurred during a prison yard break, with Çiço stabbing Aliaj.
Aliaj later escaped custody during a temporary release in 2015 and remained on the run. Meanwhile, Çiço, upon completing his sentence, attempted multiple attacks on Aliaj in Albania, including a failed assassination attempt in Tirana in January 2016 and a shooting in April of the same year.
Elton Çiço’s Death
The feud culminated in the murder of Elton Çiço on May 1, 2016, in a café in the Bllok area of Tirana. Çiço was shot twice and succumbed to his injuries. Aliaj, who had sought refuge with an old friend, Renato Milloshi, was widely suspected of orchestrating the killing.
Next Steps
With Aliaj now in Greek custody, the authorities in both countries are expected to coordinate his extradition to Albania, where he faces life imprisonment for his crimes. The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in international law enforcement cooperation and the pursuit of justice for his victims.