An Albanian national sought by British police in connection with a brutal gangland execution has voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement in his homeland, according to exclusive reports. Armando Marku, aged 26, presented himself at a police station in Tirana, Albania's capital, accompanied by his legal representative.
Fugitive's Surrender After Seven-Year Manhunt
Marku informed officers that he had recently viewed Albanian television news broadcasts indicating UK authorities were actively seeking his arrest. 'I am willing to be extradited to the UK,' he stated, declining to provide any additional commentary on the matter.
Cleveland Police had been pursuing Marku for seven years following his identification as a suspect in the 2019 murder of cannabis dealer Hemawand Ali Hussain. The 30-year-old father was fatally shot at point-blank range with a sawn-off shotgun after arriving at a property for what he believed was a meeting with drug associates.
International Investigation Developments
Following the lethal incident, Marku departed the United Kingdom and travelled extensively across Europe before ultimately returning to Albania. Four individuals have already received substantial prison sentences for their involvement in Mr Hussain's death.
Eugert Merizaj received a life sentence with a minimum term of 32 years for murder, while Noza Saffari (40), Dorian Pirija (34), and Qazim Marku (26) were convicted of manslaughter, receiving prison terms ranging between 15 and 19 years.
Earlier this month, Cleveland Police disclosed that another suspect, Sajmir Dodoveci (40), had been charged with murder following his arrest at a Brussels railway station just before Christmas. Additionally, a 34-year-old man was apprehended in Belgium during February 2024, with extradition arrangements currently underway to bring him to trial.
Police Determination and Ongoing Efforts
In the same announcement, authorities confirmed they continued to seek Mr Marku in relation to the homicide. Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Lyndsey Dale from Cleveland Police emphasised: 'All our thoughts remain with Mr Hussain's family and with his wife and sons who are being kept up to date with developments throughout.'
'We'll now be doubling down on our efforts to locate and arrest Armando Marku who is still wanted in connection with this murder,' DI Dale continued. 'We will not stop and we will use all available methods to find him.'
The detective inspector issued a direct appeal: 'I urge anyone who has information about Armando Marku or his current location to come forward. Even the smallest detail could assist our investigation.'
International Police Coordination
A Tirana police source confirmed: 'After Armando Marku handed himself in to our police directorate we arrested him and our colleagues from Tirana Interpol have now notified the UK police.' Cleveland Police subsequently verified they had received notification of Marku's arrest.
Prisoner Transfer Scheme Controversy
In related developments, it was recently revealed that Eugert Merizaj, convicted of Mr Hussain's murder, is scheduled for transfer from his British prison to an Albanian facility under a contentious £4 million annual prisoner exchange programme.
The murderer has been incarcerated at HMP Manchester, where he has regularly violated prison regulations by livestreaming from his cell. In footage posted during August, Merizaj confirmed he had applied for transfer to Albania under an agreement established in 2023.
This arrangement anticipates Britain paying Albania £4 million yearly to repatriate approximately 200 of its most dangerous offenders, convicted of serious crimes including murder, rape, burglary, and drug trafficking offences.
However, the scheme has experienced significant implementation delays. An Albanian Prison Service source indicated that only 11 Albanian prisoners have been transferred under the programme to date. On November 11th, a judge presiding in Fier, southern Albania, approved Merizaj's application and formally recognised the prison sentence imposed by the English court.
