Ardian Nikulaj's wife speaks for the first time: We were wary of Albanians because of blood feud, we did not suspect "tourists"

2024-08-28 09:17:00, Aktualitet CNA

Ardian Nikulaj's wife speaks for the first time: We were wary of Albanians

Vera Nikolaj

Daily Mail has published an article about the murder of Ardian Nikulaj, the businessman in Velipoja, which happened in April 2023.

Vera Nikulaj, Ardian Nikulaj's wife, gave an interview to journalist Tom Kelly, after the British court's decision to extradite 3 other people involved in the murder.

Ardian's wife, with great pain and tears in her eyes, told "Daily Mail" how her family welcomed the group of British people who came as tourists to their hotel, but in fact the plan was to help the customer Edmond Haxhia in the execution of her husband.

"The gang, including a young mother, allegedly flew to the Balkan seaside resort of Shengjin and posed as tourists as they checked into a five-star hotel owned by their target Ardian Nikulaj. There they accepted free food from their victim, chatted with his wife and played pool with his 13-year-old son, while allegedly monitoring his movements before one gave the signal to strike, claims the grieving family of the victim," the article states.

Vera Nikulaj said that because of the blood feud, they were wary of threats, but they never suspected that the British could be involved in an attack.

"He tried to communicate with Ardiani. I spoke to her and told him that I speak English and how I could help him. He asked us to find him a rental car and Ardiani helped him with that," said Vera Nikulaj.

The next day the Nikulaj family dined at the restaurant at the next table with Bridgeman and one of the British men and the family.

“She wanted to pay with a credit card, but it didn't work. Ardian told the waiter 'don't worry, I will pay them'. They came to us and thanked Ardian for paying for their lunch," she further stated.

Executioner Ruben Saraiva was also seen watching over the hotel, near a staircase near the scene of the shooting in the days leading up to it. Children in the area reported seeing a 'strange man all the time' and one was able to give a detailed description of him after the murder, relatives told the Daily Mail.

The British court decided on Tuesday to extradite to Albania 4 of the 5 arrested for the murder of businessman Ardian Nikulaj in Shengjin. The extradition of the customer Edmond Haxhia, as well as the British Thomas Mithan, Harry Simpson and Harriet Bridgeman, is expected./ CNA