Shijak gang leader/ GJKKO sentences strongman with multiple identities

2026-02-11 15:56:00, Kronika CNA

SPAK has sent the case of Astrit Balliu alias Avdyli for trial. The GJKKO, after completing the trial, has decided to find Astrit Avdyli guilty of

-Drug trafficking, committed in collaboration and within a structured criminal group – 12 years imprisonment.

-Participation in a structured criminal group – 3 years imprisonment.

-Unlicensed possession and production of weapons and ammunition – 5 years imprisonment.

Announcement of the GJKKO

The Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime has submitted to the Court the request with the subject: "Trial of the criminal case against the defendant Astrit Balliu (alias Avdyli, alias Sulejmani)".

The trial of this case was conducted under the rules of ordinary trial. At the end of the trial, the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, with a panel composed of judges Flojera Davidhi, Rudina Palloj and Elsa Ulliri, with decision no. 13, dated 11.02.2026, decided:

1. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Astrit Balliu (alias Avdyli, alias Sulejmani), for committing the criminal offense "Trafficking in narcotics", committed in collaboration, in the form of a structured criminal group, "Committing criminal offenses by a criminal organization and a structured criminal group", provided for by articles 283/a, paragraph one, 28/4 and in connection with article 334, paragraph one of the Criminal Code and his sentence to 12 (twelve) years of imprisonment.

2. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Astrit Balliu (alias Avdyli, alias Sulejmani), for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", committed in the form of participation, provided for by Article 333/a, paragraph two, of the Criminal Code, and his sentence to 3 (three) years of imprisonment.

3. The guilty plea of ??the defendant Astrit Balliu (alias Avdyli, alias Sulejmani), for committing the criminal offense of "Unlicensed possession and production of weapons, explosive weapons and ammunition", provided for by Article 278/1 of the Criminal Code and his sentence to 5 (five) years of imprisonment.

4. In concurrence of sentences, according to Article 55 of the Criminal Code, the sentence of the defendant Astrit Balliu (alias Avdyli alias Sulejmani), ultimately to 12 (twelve) years of imprisonment.

5. The sentence for the defendant Astrit Balliu (alias Avdyli, alias Sulejmani) should begin from the day of his arrest, and be served in a high-security prison.

6. Based on Article 190, point 1, letter “a” of the Criminal Procedure Code, in connection with Article 36, point 1, letter “a” of the Criminal Procedure Code, the seized material evidence, the pistol weapon, with the inscription WALTER-PPQ-Made in Germany, with the number ****, shall be transferred in favor of the state.

7. In accordance with Article 485/3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, investigative expenses during the preliminary investigation phase in relation to the other co-defendants, while judicial expenses are borne by the defendant.

8. An appeal may be filed against this decision at the Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime in Tirana within 15 (fifteen) days, starting from the day after the communication of the reasoned judicial decision./ CNA