Testimony of Elton Mermali’s father revealed in trial against Laert Haxhiu’s group: Details on his son’s life and connection with the defendant

In Wednesday’s session at the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime, Kujtim Mermali, the father of the late Elton Mermali, appeared to testify in the trial against Laert Haxhiu’s group. He shared details from his son’s life, his past with the justice system, and his early relationship with Haxhiu.

During his account, he explained that his son had been called “Kinezi” (the Chinese) since childhood because of his small eye shape. After serving his sentences, Elton had changed his name in the civil registry, taking the identity Alban Semaku.

Regarding any possible perpetrator or a motive for revenge over past events, Kujtim Mermali said he was unable to accuse anyone. He recounted that he had known Laert Haxhiu since childhood and that he had helped him by sheltering him when Haxhiu was being abused by his father.

“Elton Mermali was my son. He went out on Saturday evening, the night before the crime, and never came back. We received the news of his murder, that a body had been discovered. We first transported him to Peqin and then to the Elbasan morgue. The police notified his older sister who lives in Italy, and she told me. I left work, went to the morgue, collected my son’s body, and brought it home. I knew nothing about the reasons. I cannot say who did this, because I have no idea.

Elton was my second child; he was unemployed. After serving his sentence, he was not in good shape and did not practice any profession. I don’t know the reasons he was imprisoned. My son was arrested for the first time in Italy in 2004. He spent two months in a cell and then the court released him on house arrest for two years.

His mistake was that he breached the house arrest measure and then they transferred him here. They detained him there because he was accused of a murder committed in Albania, that of Artan Sulçe. In 1997, my son was in the country. As far as I know, he had no involvement, because any revenge would have been taken at that time, as happened with others. He was a defendant together with Aldo Bare’s group.

I cannot say if my son’s murder was revenge for the killing of Artan Sulçe and Bledar Haxhiu in 1997. My son was not on guard against anyone. He was released from Peqin prison on 6 May 2021 and was killed on 17 October that same year. After his release, my son was not well; I never found out who supplied him with narcotic substances inside the institution.

At home he never consumed illegal substances. His behaviour towards me was very good, he showed no aggression. He never mentioned if he was threatened by anyone while in prison, or with whom he shared a cell. My son was known by the nickname ‘Kinezi’ because of his small eyes, they called him that since he was a minor. When he was released, he went to the civil registry office, changed his name, and registered as Alban Semaku. Artan Tafani was going to get him a job when they met. That’s what my son told me,” Kujtim Mermali concluded his testimony.