Father Shot Dead Inside Five-Star Albanian Hotel: British Hit Squad Allegedly Involved

A father was brutally shot dead inside a five-star hotel in Albania, allegedly by a British hit squad hired to settle a decades-old blood feud. The suspects, who posed as tourists, are now facing extradition to Albania for trial.

Key Takeaways

• A father, Ardian Nikulaj, was shot dead in a five-star hotel in Shengjin, Albania.
• The murder is allegedly linked to a decades-old blood feud between families.
• A British hit squad, including a young mother, is accused of carrying out the attack.
• The suspects are facing extradition to Albania for trial.

The Incident

Ardian Nikulaj, the owner of a five-star hotel in the seaside resort of Shengjin, Albania, was shot dead in the hotel restaurant. The attack was captured on CCTV, showing a man entering the restaurant and shooting Nikulaj six times at point-blank range with a Soviet-made automatic pistol. The assailant then fled the scene.

The Alleged Hit Squad

The suspects, identified as Harriet Bridgeman, Thomas Mithan, Harry Simpson, and Steven Hunt, allegedly flew to Albania and checked into Nikulaj’s hotel, posing as tourists. They reportedly accepted free meals from Nikulaj, interacted with his family, and monitored his movements before the attack.

• Harriet Bridgeman: A 28-year-old mother from Bristol, seen trying to make eye contact with Nikulaj and asking for assistance in renting a car.
• Thomas Mithan: A 35-year-old from Bristol, involved in monitoring Nikulaj’s movements.
• Harry Simpson: A 33-year-old from South London, seen playing pool with Nikulaj’s son and acting suspiciously in the hotel restaurant.
• Steven Hunt: A 50-year-old from Bristol, awaiting further court hearings.

The Blood Feud

The murder is believed to be part of a long-standing blood feud between the Nikulaj family and another family. The feud, which has lasted nearly three decades, has already resulted in seven killings. Under Albanian blood feud tradition, a family must avenge a relative’s murder by killing a male member of the killer’s family, perpetuating a cycle of violence.

Extradition and Legal Proceedings

The suspects recently lost a court battle against extradition to Albania. District Judge Daniel Sternberg ruled that their cases would be sent to the Home Secretary for a final decision. The alleged organizer of the hit squad, British-Albanian Edmond Haxhia from Birmingham, is also facing extradition. Haxhia is accused of orchestrating the murder as part of the blood feud.

Family’s Reaction

Nikulaj’s family, who had unwittingly welcomed the suspects as guests in their newly opened hotel, are devastated. His wife, Vera, recounted how they never suspected that Britons could be involved in an attack. She described interactions with Bridgeman and Simpson, who had seemed like ordinary tourists.

Conclusion

The brutal murder of Ardian Nikulaj has shocked the local community and highlighted the ongoing issue of blood feuds in Albania. As the suspects face extradition and potential trial, the case continues to unfold, shedding light on the tragic consequences of long-standing family vendettas.

Sources

• Horrific moment father is brutally shot dead inside five-star Albanian hotel after being allegedly ‘targeted by British hit squad who were hired to settle decades-old blood feud’ – as gang faces extradition to go on trial | Daily Mail Online, Daily Mail.