Four British nationals accused of reconnaissance in the fatal shooting of a businessman at his luxury hotel bar in Albania have escaped extradition due to a procedural error.
The Deadly Hotel Shooting
Ardian Nikulaj, a 51-year-old hotel owner, was gunned down in April 2023 inside the restaurant of his five-star property. Surveillance footage shows Ruben Saraiva, dressed as a delivery driver, firing six shots at close range with a Soviet-era automatic pistol before fleeing the scene.
Saraiva, a Portuguese-born resident raised in Reading, Berkshire, was convicted of premeditated murder in Albania last month. He received a life sentence without parole after his arrest in Morocco and subsequent extradition.
Alleged ‘Murder Squad’ Involvement
Prosecutors claim Harriet Bridgeman, 30, Steven Hunt, 52, Thomas Mithan, 37, from Bristol, and Harry Simpson, 35, from south London, posed as tourists at Nikulaj’s hotel. They allegedly monitored his movements, enjoyed complimentary meals, and spoke with his wife in the days before the attack.
British-Albanian Edmond Haxhia, 40, faces accusations of orchestrating the hit. All five defendants deny the charges.
Roots in a Long-Running Blood Feud
The incident ties into a violent feud spanning over 25 years, originating from a 1997 murder linked to a financial dispute. Authorities link the conflict to seven deaths.
Court Blocks Extradition
Initially, Westminster Magistrates’ Court approved extradition for Bridgeman, Mithan, Simpson, and Haxhia following a full hearing in August 2024. District Judge Daniel Sternberg ruled they played roles in planning and observing the victim, with Simpson allegedly involved on the day of the shooting. The Home Secretary endorsed the orders.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned the decisions. Lawyers argued the Albanian request was altered during proceedings—dropping firearms charges and substituting premeditated murder counts—invalidating the original certified order.
Mr Justice Swift stated: ‘It was not open to the district judge to send a case to the Secretary of State for extradition that was in no part the request certified by the Secretary of State under section 70 of the 2003 Act.’
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson noted: ‘The Court allowed the appeals on the basis that the requests considered by the lower court were not valid and quashed the extradition orders. On behalf of the Republic of Albania, notice has been given of an intention to seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court under section 114 of the Extradition Act 2003.’
Albanian authorities plan to pursue a Supreme Court appeal within the statutory timeline.
