Lajqi Retrial Ends With 5-Year Prison Sentence for Murder Plot, Acquittal on Weapons Charge

At the conclusion of the retrial, the Basic Court in Pristina sentenced Avni Lajqi to 5 years in prison for planning the murder of Musa Demaj (Loshi). However, he was acquitted of the charge of unlawful possession of a weapon.

The verdict was announced on Wednesday by the trial panel, composed of presiding judge Vesel Ismaili and judges Kujtim Krasniqi and Donikë Shala-Abdyli, “Betimi për Drejtësi” reported.

According to Judge Ismaili, there was insufficient evidence to support the defendant’s guilt on the charge of unauthorized possession of a weapon, and he was therefore acquitted on that count of the indictment.

The judge also explained that the time Lajqi has spent in detention will be deducted from his final prison sentence.

The defendant was also ordered to pay court costs: 100 euros as a flat fee and a further 100 euros to the Crime Victim Compensation Fund.

Egzon Hasangjekaj is also named as a defendant in this criminal case, but the proceedings against him are being conducted separately. This is because the authorities were only able to arrest him in May 2026, as he had remained beyond the reach of justice until then.

At the hearing on April 14, 2026, prosecutor Habibe Salihu changed the legal classification of the charge. She reclassified it from “Agreement to Commit a Criminal Offense” under Article 35, paragraph 1, to “Preparation of the Criminal Offense of Aggravated Murder,” citing Article 173, paragraph 1, subparagraph 1.6, in conjunction with other relevant provisions of the Criminal Code.

The case has a prior judicial history. On September 25, 2025, the same court found Avni Lajqi guilty and sentenced him to 5 years in prison and a fine of 2,500 euros for unauthorized possession of a weapon. However, on January 28, 2026, the Court of Appeals sent the case back for retrial after finding substantial violations of criminal procedure rules.

Meanwhile, defendant Brahim Berisha had pleaded guilty to the charges against him. In his case, the prosecutor withdrew the charge of preparing to commit “Aggravated Murder,” prompting the court to dismiss that count of the indictment. Ultimately, Berisha was convicted only of unauthorized possession of a weapon and fined 500 euros.

The indictment filed by the Special Prosecution Office of the Republic of Kosovo, dated January 22, 2025, states that Avni Lajqi and Brahim Berisha acted on the instructions of defendant Egzon Hasangjekaj. The alleged motive was a feud stemming from a conflict in America in 2021 between Hasangjekaj and the injured party, Musa Demaj (Loshi), and a desire to take revenge against him.

According to the prosecution’s allegations, Avni Lajqi, motivated by a payment of 100,000 euros, reached an agreement with Brahim Berisha under which Berisha would kill Musa for 70,000 euros. Berisha agreed and was instructed by Lajqi on the details of the crime, including the method, timing and appropriate location.

The indictment also states that Avni Lajqi had undertaken to guarantee payment if defendant Egzon failed to fulfill the financial obligation for the murder. They had also secured the weapon to be used in the crime, which was already in Brahim Berisha’s possession. The plan was thwarted after the Kosovo Police seized the weapon on February 20, 2024. After the attempt against Musa failed, defendant Egzon urged that his brother, Hekuran, be killed instead, or that both brothers be killed together if they were found in the same place.

For these actions, the defendants are jointly charged with the criminal offense of “Preparation of the Criminal Offense of Aggravated Murder” under Article 173, as well as criminal conspiracy under the relevant provisions of the Kosovo Criminal Code.

The indictment further states that on March 28, 2024, during a search of Avni Lajqi’s residence, a cartridge and other weapons were found in his possession without authorization and in violation of the Law on Weapons. He was therefore charged with the criminal offense of “Unauthorized Ownership, Control or Possession of Weapons” under Article 366, paragraph 1, of the Criminal Code.

During a search of Brahim Berisha’s home, an automatic weapon was also found, along with two magazines and 20 cartridges, all held without authorization. He faces the same criminal charge of unlawful possession of a weapon.