Albanian Blood-Feud Murder Extradition Appeal and Judicial Review Allowed

Judgment was handed down in an appeal against a District Judge’s decision to send the Appellant’s case to the Secretary of State for extradition, and in a related judicial review challenge against the Secretary of State’s order for extradition, in a case concerning five British nationals accused of involvement in a blood-feud murder in Albania. Swift J allowed the appeal on the basis that it was not open to the District Judge to send the case to the Secretary of State for extradition when the offences for which the individuals were ultimately sought were not the offences that had been part of the original request as certified by the Secretary of State. Similarly, Swift J allowed the judicial review on the basis that the Secretary of State’s orders were erroneous, as they referred only to the original offences as set out in the extradition requests. Consequently, the extradition orders were quashed and the appellants were discharged.

The Government of Albania has given notice of its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Ben Watson KC and Rebecca Hadgett represented Mr Haxhia.

Read more about the case here

30th April 2026