Convicted of premeditated murder, Albanian man arrested in Italy — 28-year-old faces extradition

A wanted man convicted of premeditated murder committed in collaboration has been arrested in Bolzano, Italy, according to a police announcement. The 28-year-old Vanxhel Balla, born in Dibër, was detained for the purpose of extradition to Albania.

“Citizen Vanxhel Balla had been internationally wanted by Interpol Tirana, after the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of Dibër sentenced him in 2020 to 12 years in prison — with nine years left to serve — for the criminal offense of “premeditated murder” committed in collaboration. This citizen, together with his brother, citizen A. B., after a conflict over trivial motives, killed citizen A. Z., alias I. Z., with a cutting instrument (knife),” the announcement states.

Interpol Tirana, in cooperation with Interpol Rome, is continuing the procedures for the extradition of the citizen to Albania.