Maksim Cela, convicted in Albania for murder and terrorism, is reportedly free in the UK, claiming his life is at risk if deported.
Cela, age 53, was caught in the UK soon after his release. He only served half of a 25-year term for murder and terrorism. He got bail while awaiting a trial and spent a lot of money to avoid deportation. The Sun newspaper reported this information, indicating Cela likely used a fake passport from Spain.
He argues deportation violates his human rights, citing threats to his life in Albania. He initially claimed asylum, but it was rejected.
He made a second claim concerning his safety, which a judge accepted under Human Rights laws, despite controversy surrounding it. The judge cited Article Two and Article Three, which protect “right to life” and ban torture or inhuman treatment. The Home Secretary appealed this ruling.
The ruling was later deemed an “error of law.” A hearing will decide if Cela can stay in the UK, spanning two days and starting March 31. Even if he loses, he can still appeal again and remain in the UK until he exhausts appeals.
A Home Office spokesperson stated they would challenge the appeal, aiming to remove foreign criminals from British streets. Their plan is removal as soon as possible and they have removed 2,925 criminals since the election, a 21% increase from the same period last year. Cela’s asylum claim faced rejection by the Home Office, and he did not receive any government help.
Cela was a ‘Banda e Lushnjes’ member, a gang that terrorized Lushnje in the late 90s. Aldo Bare led the gang and killed a rival, displaying his head. Cela arranged the murder of Klenti Bano, a police officer, in April 2000. They shot him with an AK47 outside his home, a month after he planned a terror attack targeting police chief Sinan Meta. A bomb near a stadium was disarmed.
Cela was jailed for 25 years in 2012. He faced charges like murder, terrorism, and counts for criminal organization, but served only half his sentence. He traveled to the UK swiftly after release, planning to hide in Britain’s Albanian circle. Police arrested him shortly after arrival and initially held him near Heathrow.
He is now free on bail. Kevin Foster, an ex-Home Office Minister, showed outrage, calling it “human rights lunacy” in the courts. He said Cela’s “rights” were not more important and thinks safety from criminals is paramount.