Suspected of Fleeing to Albania: Greek Authorities Hunt Alket Rizai After Prison Leave Violation

ATHENS – Greek police authorities have launched a mega-operation to locate and capture Alket Rizai, who has not returned to Domokos prison after his furlough ended. Rizai was due to report to his cell on Monday, September 14, at 08:00, but violated the leave order. Investigations so far place his last trace in northern Greece, raising suspicions he may have illegally crossed the border into Albania, though this remains officially unconfirmed.

His escape is also linked to a serious criminal incident recorded on September 13, just one day before the prison-return deadline. Rizai is suspected of involvement in a shooting in which two people were injured. After the incident, he fled in an unknown direction, prompting Greek police to officially declare him internationally wanted. This was the 17th furlough he had benefited from since 2021, while in the previous 16 cases he had regularly respected the deadlines.

Alket Rizai is one of the best-known names in the criminal underworld of the neighboring country:

2003: He was suspected of the murder of Greek businessman Thanasis Koropiotis.

2006: He carried out the sensational escape from Korydallos prison by helicopter together with Vasilis Paleokostas. The same year, he executed Konstantinos Koutelieris and Ioannis Katsios in Peristeri on the orders of mobster Vasilis Stefanakos.

2009: He escaped for a second time by helicopter from Korydallos prison.

2013: He attempted to escape from Malandrino prison, taking five guards hostage.

2021: He was stopped during a routine vehicle check with dangerous individuals while also on prison leave.

Investigations to capture him continue in cooperation with other law-enforcement agencies.