Cousin’s testimony in trial: Albi fell to the ground, I only watched, did nothing

Sami Bashalliu, the cousin of Albi Bashalliu, testified about the murder of the latter at a bar on December 27, 2021, in Gjocaj, Peqin.

He recounted that initially the killer got out of an Audi, had a brief conversation with the victim, and then opened fire.

According to his testimony, after the crime the perpetrators set fire to Bashalliu’s car and fled the scene.

“A murder happened near my bar, about 3-4 years ago, just before New Year’s. I run a small business in front of my house, in the village of Gjocaj, Peqin. That morning it was raining. I saw a white Audi with Albanian license plates and tinted windows parked near the bar. My wife said the car looked suspicious. I walked over but saw no one inside.

Shortly after, one of the people in the car got out, approached Albi Bashalliu, and exchanged a few words. Immediately gunshots rang out. I had never seen that person before; he was wearing a mask. He shot Albi 2 or 3 times. The guys sitting in the bar panicked, got up, and left. There were two people in the vehicle, but only one of them fired.

Albi fell to the ground. Then the perpetrators went back to their car and set the victim’s car on fire. I went inside the bar. I just watched, I did nothing. Albi hadn’t come to our bar lately, not since his brother was killed. I knew nothing about his background. Albi’s brother, Leonard, had been murdered a few years earlier. Albi mostly lived in Italy. As for the perpetrator, I’ve heard the name Albert Xhahysa mentioned. That’s what people were saying in the area, but I personally know nothing,” said Sami Bashalliu.