Albanian trial for Luton murder suspects

It is the third British case to be held in Albania

Bedfordshire detectives have flown to Albania for the trial of three men charged with murdering an asylum seeker in Luton last year.

Arben Pali, Marjan Lukaj and Petrit Coli are accused of attacking 27-year-old Perparim Malaj in Chapel Street on 2 September last year.

Mr Pali and Mr Lukaj have not been found, and will be tried in their absence.

It is only the third time a British criminal case has been heard in Albania.

Mr Malaj was attacked last September

The trial will be heard according to Albanian law in front of three judges without a jury.

Three eyewitnesses have also flown to Albania to give evidence.

A verdict is expected on Wednesday or Thursday.

Detective Inspector Sean O'Neil, who has led the inquiry, said it had been a difficult task.

He said:"This has been a painstaking inquiry which has been made all the more difficult because of the language and cultural differences between the UK and Albania.

"It has been a steep learning curve, not only because of the complexities involved in the application of international law, but the criminal justice system in Albania operates and prepares a case in a completely different way to how we do it here."

The investigation has cost Bedfordshire Police a total of £500,000 and more than 12,000 staff hours.

The Crown Prosecution Service only funds prosecutions for trials to be held in the UK, and the Albanian authorities cannot afford to do so.