No one agrees to retrial the killing of Azem Hajdari

Izet Hadzi's retrial at the Court of Appeals in Tirana, for the murder of former Democrat President Azem Hajdari, appears to have entered a deadlock yet to begin trial.

Following the resignation of the court body, where Azem's wife was among three judges, the second three appeals judges selected for the trial are expected to do the same.

Sources at the Court of Appeals have claimed that even judges of the second body are: Valdete Hoxha, Gail Shala and Astrit Hatzialushi have sought to resign from this issue with the argument that they have conflicts of interest.

But the resignation is expected to be declared at the first session to take place during September. In view of this created situation, the Court of Appeals will most likely address the High Council of Justice to resolve this stalemate, delegateing judges from other appeals courts in the country.

Izet Haxhia, former Sali Berisha's bodyguard, was extradited from Turkey to our country in the month of May of this year. In June, the Tirana Court recognised the right to re-establishment in the terms of the verdict it has sentenced to 25 years in prison as one of the culprits for killing Azem Hajdari in September 1998.

Izet Haxhia herself during the process of recognising the complaint has stated that she accepted extradition after receiving assurances of life and that justice would be heard. While for his former chief who once preserved his life, he has declared that between 90 and 1998, he witnessed many criminal events that could burn Berisha. Now it remains seen which court will give Izet Hadzi the right to speak about the murder of Azem Hajdari, also called the “murder of the past century”. / TCh/