Ex Police Chief Executed in Residential Street in Tirana

Tirana, Albania | Tirana Echo – A former police chief has been executed in a residential street of Albania’s capital Tirana last night, in what was a ‘mafia style’ execution at the doorsteps of his apartment building.

Artan Cuku, 45, served as Chief of Police of Vlora from 2012-2013, was murdered last night by two masked persons who were waiting at the entrance of his apartment building close to the lake park of Tirana.

Immediately after the execution, the State Police surrounded the residential area and put checkpoints at the main exit points of Tirana.

Police have not given any details about the identity of the murderers but it is being reported that security cameras have captured at least one of the man, believed to be in his 30’s.

Police have said they are investigating on three parallel reasons for the murder, Cuku’s previous duty as police chief, his current private security business activity as well as a possible ‘vendetta’ cause.

The latter two are the most credible ones given the wild competitive environment private security companies operate in Albania. Police think a competitor in the market may have had a conflict with Cuku’s company and chosen to eliminate him.

However, local Albanian media are reporting that the murder could be the result of a ‘vendetta’ case, linked to an incident back in 2005 when Agim Daka, arrested by Cuku in Tirana’s police department, killed himself in Cuku’s office. Although the suicide version was taken for granted at the time, police believe relatives of the dead man may have reactivated the case by taking vengeance on Cuku 12 years later.

Reportedly, both the administrator of the residential building as well as the victim’s wife have seen the face of on the executors, as he was waiting at the building’s entrance with a smartphone on his hands.

Both the Minister of Interior Fatmir Xhafaj and chair of opposition Democratic Party Lulzim Basha attended homages at the Tirana’s Police Department this morning. Albania’s Ombudsman has called on relevant authorities to accelerate investigation and bring those guilty to justice.

Tirana Polic have arrested at least 11 people and have offered 25,000 euros reward for anyone offering credible information on the identity of the attackers.