Killing of Klodian Rasha (8 Dec 2020, curfew)
Status: Hajdaraj convicted at first instance; appeal ruling reported (2021) with differing terms. Interior Minister resigned 10 Dec 2020.
Summary
On 8 December 2020, during curfew hours, police in Tirana (Lapraka area) shot and killed Klodian Rasha, 25. Police said he disobeyed an order to stop and had a weapon; the family denied he had a firearm. Later police accounts said he held an object but not a weapon (reported). Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj resigned on 10 December 2020; Rama said he accepted the resignation while stating Lleshaj had no connection to the act.
Nevaldo Hajdaraj was arrested and charged. A Tirana court convicted him in 2021 after a shortened trial. Reported sentences vary between 10, 12 and 18 years depending on the stage and source (see persons). Prosecutors requested 20 years (reduced to 13 for shortened trial, reported 3 June 2021).
Protests followed in Tirana and other cities. Citizens.al (Dec 2020) reported police violated human rights of demonstrators. Pepper spray on cafe patrons, detention of journalists and arrests of minors were listed as allegations in the research brief but were NOT confirmed in any retrieved source (see gaps).
Key facts
- Klodian Rasha, 25, killed by police in Tirana on 8 Dec 2020 during curfew (multiple sources, AP, Euronews).
- Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj resigned, announced 10 Dec 2020 (IntelliNews, Channels TV).
- Officer Nevaldo Hajdaraj arrested and charged with homicide (reported).
- Prosecution requested 20 years, reduced to 13 for shortened trial (Top Channel, 3 June 2021).
- Sentence differs between reports: 15 reduced to 10 years (first instance, one source); 15 reduced to 12 (another); appeal reported as 18 reduced to 12 (Shqiptarja / Exit).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (3)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Rasha was killed by police during curfew on 8 Dec 2020 (multiple independent reports).
- Lleshaj resigned as Interior Minister (multiple reports).
- Hajdaraj was prosecuted and convicted at first instance (court outcome reported by multiple outlets; terms disputed).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationPolice claim Rasha had a weapon; later police accounts said he held an object but not a weapon (disputed; family denies firearm).
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationProsecutors alleged Rasha was shot in the back while running and that Hajdaraj knew he had no weapon (reported as prosecution account, Shqiptarja 2021).
- AllegationPolice said Rasha had a weapon; family denied he had a firearm (reported).
Open questions (3)
- Exact final sentence after appeal (sources conflict: 12 vs 18 years on appeal).
- Whether pepper spray on cafe patrons, detention of journalists and arrests of minors occurred as alleged (not verified here).
- Whether any official beyond the officer was held responsible.
Responses (3)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Edi Rama: apologised to Rasha's parents; called the shooting inexplicable and completely unreasonable; said the judiciary will determine guilt (AP, 10 Dec 2020).
- Hajdaraj: requested re-qualification to murder in excess of self-defence; court rejected (Shqiptarja, 2021).
- Sander Lleshaj: resigned 10 Dec 2020 (reported). Other statements not retrieved.
Timeline
Full timeline →Police
Klodian Rasha shot dead by police during curfew, Tirana
25-year-old killed in Lapraka during curfew hours. Police later accounts conflict on whether he had a weapon.
Government
Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj resigns after police killing
Rama accepted the resignation, stating Lleshaj had no connection to the officer's act.
Court
Prosecutor asks 20 years for Nevaldo Hajdaraj (13 with shortened trial)
Prosecutor Ardian Braho. Next hearing set for 17 June.
Connections
Interior Minister at time of killing; resigned
Evidence: Resignation 10 Dec 2020 (IntelliNews, Channels TV).
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 6 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 6 sources
- Publisher
- AP
- Date
- 10 Dec 2020
- Publisher
- Euronews
- Date
- 12 Dec 2020
- Publisher
- IntelliNews
- Date
- 10 Dec 2020
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 21 Dec 2020
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- 3 Jun 2021
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- 2021