The dynamics of the murder in Saranda are revealed / The perpetrator is identified, several people are wanted

2026-05-08 17:14:00, Kronika CNA

The dynamics of the murder in Saranda are revealed / The perpetrator is

The Director of the Vlora Local Police, Elidon Çela, in a statement to the media, shed light on the dynamics of the murder of businessman Rexhep Ismaili in Saranda.

Çela announced that the citizens involved in the conflict that escalated into a shootout have been identified and declared wanted. Among those declared wanted is the suspected perpetrator of Ismail's murder, citizen LT, 37 years old. He is suspected of committing the criminal offenses of "Intentional Murder" and "Unlicensed Possession of Weapons".

It is reported that three vehicles have been seized that are suspected of being used by the wanted persons to flee the scene.

Çela also announced that the victim's brother, citizen HI, has been criminally prosecuted after he left the scene and hid the automatic firearm along with a magazine with 21 cartridges, which were later found and seized by the police.

"I am here today to inform the public about the rapid, intensive and professional investigative actions carried out by specialists from the Section for the Investigation of Crimes against the Person and the Specialists for the Investigation of Crimes at the Saranda Police Station, under the direction of the Prosecutor's Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of Saranda, with the aim of clarifying the authorship and circumstances of the event that occurred at around 21:30 on 07.05.2026.

The incident occurred at the intersection of the village of Gjashtë, in the premises of a bar owned by citizen RI, (Rexhep Ismaili) where citizen RI, 66 years old, was killed with a gunshot, and citizen KV was injured.

As a result of the investigative actions, it was possible to identify the suspected perpetrator of the murder and to clarify the dynamics of the event. Also, just a few moments ago, the injured citizen Kostandin Vogli was escorted out of the hospital, who is currently receiving medical assistance and is out of danger to his life. This citizen will be subject to criminal proceedings.

The investigation revealed that yesterday evening, citizens: LT, IC, EM, KV, MA and E.Sh. went to the victim's bar and headed to the table where citizen TR was, accompanied by the victim and other people present, immediately starting the conflict with hard objects. During the conflict, it turns out that victim R. I took an automatic firearm and shot at the citizens involved in the conflict.

Following the incident, it is suspected that citizen LT fired a pistol at citizen RI, who consequently lost his life at the scene. Also, during the firefight, citizen KV was injured in the leg. After the incident, all citizens involved in the conflict left the scene. Meanwhile, it is suspected that the victim's brother, citizen HI, left the scene and hid the automatic firearm along with a magazine with 21 cartridges, which were later found and seized by the police as material evidence.

Also, other material evidence was seized, specifically an "Audi Q8" vehicle, and cartridges and shells of various calibers and other items that will serve to continue the investigation.

During further checks, in the village of Nivicë, the motorcycle was found abandoned, with which the suspected perpetrator, citizen LT, is suspected of having fled the scene. Also, in neighborhood no. 1, Saranda, an "Audi" type vehicle was found and blocked, which is suspected of having been used by the perpetrators involved in the incident.

At the end of the first investigative actions, the following citizens were declared wanted: LT, 37 years old, for the criminal offenses of "Intentional Murder" and "Unlicensed Weapons Possession"; IC, 40 years old, EM, 19 years old, KV, 31 years old, MA, 22 years old and E. Sh., 21 years old, for the criminal offenses of "Threat" and "Destruction of Property". Citizen HI (Hajredin Ismaili) 60 years old, the victim's brother, was also criminally prosecuted. Intensive investigations continue to fully clarify the dynamics of the event, as well as intensive searches to locate and capture all citizens declared wanted," Çela said. /CNA