From: Exit News
Trial Starts against Officer Who Killed Man after Violating Lockdown

A court in Tirana decided to try a police officer for premeditated murder after he shot dead a person during lockdown hours.

Officer Nevaldo Hajdaraj shot 25-year-old Klodian Rasha on December 8th, 2020, after the latter tried to run away from the police, allegedly to avoid a potential fine for breaking lockdown rules.

Rasha’s death sparked violent protests in Albania, resulting in the resignation of Minister of Interior Sander Lleshaj.

In today’s preliminary hearing, Hajdaraj apologized to the victim’s father.

His defense requested an abbreviated trial, and for the charge to be changed from premeditated murder to murder by excessive self defense.

Read more: Exit Explains: The Murder of Klodian Rasha and the Ongoing Protests