Gerd Gjinarari (“Gert Gjenerali”) Arrested in Belgium After Fleeing Life Sentence for Naim Zyberi Murder

 Belgian authorities have arrested Gerd Gjinarari, also known as “Gert Gjenerali,” one of Albania’s most notorious convicted criminals, ending years as an international fugitive after he failed to return to prison to serve the remainder of a life sentence.

 Gerd Gjinarari, pictured above, faces extradition from Belgium after an Albanian appeals court revoked his conditional release from a life sentence. (Image source: ocnal.com) 

Gjinarari was wanted internationally following a court order requiring him to return to custody after his conditional release was overturned by Albania’s appeals court. His arrest in Belgium is expected to trigger extradition proceedings aimed at returning him to Albania.

The life sentence stems from the murder of Naim Zyberi, a high-profile killing that took place in a hospital in Milan, Italy, in 1997. Italian investigators determined that Gjinarari was involved in the execution alongside Arben Grori. According to case files, the attackers allegedly gained access to the victim’s hospital room by posing as relatives before carrying out the shooting with a firearm concealed inside a bouquet of flowers.

 Gerd Gjinarari (left), sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Naim Zyberi (right) in a Milan hospital, has been arrested in Belgium after being declared an international wanted man.

The brazen assassination shocked Italian authorities at the time and ultimately led to convictions that resulted in life imprisonment sentences for those found responsible.

After being convicted by the Italian justice system, Gjinarari was extradited to Albania in 2014 to continue serving his life sentence. However, in 2019, the Korçë Court granted him conditional release, a decision that later became the subject of significant legal controversy.

The Appeals Court subsequently overturned the release order and ruled that Gjinarari must return to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence. When he failed to comply with the ruling, authorities declared him an international fugitive and launched efforts to locate and apprehend him.

His capture in Belgium marks a significant development in the case and may bring an end to years of evasion from justice. Judicial authorities in both countries are now expected to begin the legal procedures necessary for his extradition and return to prison.

The arrest also revives attention on the circumstances surrounding his conditional release and the legal decisions that allowed a convicted murderer serving a life sentence to leave prison before ultimately disappearing from authorities' reach.