Albanian Fugitive Fears Death in Extradition

0:00On April 21, a 36-year-old Albanian guy named Irfan Azizi is fighting extradition from the UK back to Albania. He's claiming asylum because a crime gang allegedly tried to kill him with around 30 AK-47 rounds back in 2020. Now he's wanted there for a one-year sentence on a phone possession charge while on-romand. Earlier this week at Westminster Magistrate's Court, Azizi laid out his fears that the same group would finish the job if he returns. He's got a rap sheet in both countries, including two-year sentences for theft in Albania and six months in Swindon Crown. Court last April for fake German driving licenses. Meanwhile, Azizi described the hit at a petrol station where bullets shattered his hand in 13 places. He says the gang boss, a former buddy linked to major cocaine suppliers, organized it and even does hits for Albanian judges and politicians. According to the prosecutor, Azizi admitted bribing a judge to drop the phone case, calling it the usual way to close things.

1:01But lawyers question why no threats have come as way in five years here in the UK or to his wife and kids back home before they joined him. The hearing drags on with his family settled in Totten, getting counsel support and past taxpayer hotel stays. If asylum fails, deportation looms anyway, leaving everyone watching how this plays out for a petty crook dodging bigger bullets.