Lulzim Tabaku, 37, suspected of being the perpetrator of the murder of Rexhep Ismail, and Idriz Çelo, 40, have been arrested in Greece with the aim of extradition to Albania. The 66-year-old was shot dead on May 7, 2026, in his bar in the village of Gjashtë, Saranda. The State Police, in cooperation with their Greek counterparts, have finalized another phase of the operation codenamed “The Wanted”, temporarily arresting two Albanian citizens wanted for the serious incident.
According to the investigation, on May 7, 2026, after a conflict between several people, where hard objects were used, Lulzim Tabaku is suspected of having shot Rexhep Ismail, 66, with a pistol, in the premises of the latter's bar, causing his death. Meanwhile, Idriz Çelo is suspected of having been involved in the conflict that preceded the murder. He is accused of failing to report a crime, intimidation and destruction of property. According to the police, Çelo was using a false identity to stay on the island of Corfu.
Police announcement:
State Police/Finalizes as a result of close cooperation with Greek counterparts, another phase of the operation codenamed "The Wanted".
The suspected perpetrator of the murder of a citizen of the Republic of Albania, committed on 07.05.2026, in the premises of the victim's bar, in the village of Gjashtë, Saranda, has been arrested in Greece.
Another citizen involved in the violent altercation that preceded the murder of the 66-year-old has been arrested in Greece. The suspect was using a false identity to reside on the island of Corfu.
As a result of the informational and operational coordination between counterparts of the Interpol Directorate and Interpol Athens, during this phase of the operation codenamed "The Wanted", the following wanted citizens were provisionally arrested in Greece, with the aim of extradition to Albania:
-LT, 37 years old, for whom the Court of Saranda has imposed the security measure "Arrest in prison", for the criminal offenses "Intentional murder", "Unauthorized possession and production of weapons, explosive weapons and ammunition" and "Threat", committed in collaboration;
-I. Ç., 40 years old, for whom the Court of Saranda has imposed the security measure "Arrest in prison", for the criminal offenses "Failure to report a crime", "Threat" and "Destruction of property".
From the investigations, it is suspected that on 07.05.2026, the 37-year-old killed with a firearm (pistol), the 66-year-old RI citizen, in the premises of the latter's bar, after a conflict with hard objects, between several citizens, among them, the 40-year-old arrested in Corfu.
Intensive work is underway to locate and capture other citizens wanted in connection with this case.
Meanwhile, in cooperation with Greek counterparts, Interpol Tirana is working to finalize the procedures for the extradition to Albania of the 2 detainees.
