The investigation into the recent deadly attack at Rinas International Airport has taken a major turn. According to Professor of Criminology Ervin Karamuço, who spoke live on Now at Euronews Albania, police have just detained the first suspect connected to the high-profile assassination that claimed the lives of Gilmando Dani and Mustafa Sheqeri.
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| Ervin Karamuço while speaking to a local TV |
First Suspect Detained: What Is Known So Far
Professor Karamuço confirmed that hours before the broadcast, police had detained a person believed to have connections with the deadly Rinas ambush. While authorities have not yet revealed the individual’s role, the detention marks the first significant breakthrough in the case.
“The first person has been detained. It is not yet known what connection he had with the Rinas event, but police have information about his involvement,”
Karamuço stated.
This development signals a turning point, suggesting that investigators are narrowing in on the network behind the attack. The suspect’s involvement could range from logistical support to direct participation—though official confirmation is still pending.
Possible Shift Toward SPAK Jurisdiction
One of the most critical points Karamuço raised is the potential transfer of the case to SPAK, Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure.
He explained that if police gather enough evidence proving that the Rinas assassination was planned or executed by an organized crime group, the entire investigation will be handed over to SPAK.
“If police confirm organized crime behind this event, the case will move to SPAK,”
he noted.
This would elevate the case’s legal weight significantly and place it under Albania’s most powerful anti-crime institution.
Connection to Lushnja Attack: Same Method, Same Signature?
The criminology expert also highlighted a disturbing detail: the attack in Lushnja, which left Julian Sulo (known as ‘Juli i Pashakos’) injured, appears to follow the same operational pattern as the Rinas ambush.
Sulo is known in Lushnja for his rivalry with the criminal group of Aldo Bare, a name tied to years of violent conflicts in the area.
According to Karamuço, the similarities between the two attacks are striking:
- Same precise execution style
- Same ambush method
- Same use of coordinated hit-team operations
This raises the possibility that the Lushnja shooting could be a direct extension or retaliation linked to the Rinas attack.
However, at this stage, these remain preliminary suspicions and investigative hypotheses.
Organized Crime Connections: Still Unconfirmed but Strong Indicators
While nothing has been officially declared, criminology experts and investigators see clear signs pointing toward organized crime involvement. The high level of planning, the precision of the attacks, and the chosen targets all indicate the presence of a sophisticated criminal structure.
Karamuço emphasized that these conclusions depend on ongoing investigations by:
- State Police
- Prosecution Office
- Potentially SPAK
Only forensic evidence, witness testimony, and communications analysis will determine whether the two events are truly connected.
A Meaningful Step Forward for the Rinas Case
Despite the uncertainty, the detention of the first suspect is a significant step, offering hope for progress in solving one of the most shocking criminal events in Albania this year.
“This is a meaningful development. Although we still do not know the exact role of the detained person, he has been summoned because he is connected to the Rinas incident,”
Karamuço concluded.
As investigations continue, the Albanian public awaits clarity—both on the motives and on the criminal landscape behind these targeted attacks.
The unfolding situation around the Rinas and Lushnja attacks highlights once again the complex and evolving nature of organized crime in Albania. With the first suspect detained, the investigation has entered a more active phase. Whether this leads to unraveling a larger criminal network or confirms links between the two attacks remains to be seen.
Blogspot readers, especially within the Albanian community, should stay tuned for updates as new details emerge.