The sensational robbery of 4.6 million euros in Rinas, on the plane that was to transport them to Vienna, the Çala brothers request the annulment of the decision that sentenced them to 37 years in prison

2026-05-27 15:11:58Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The sensational robbery of 4.6 million euros in Rinas, on the plane that was to

Klement and Eldi Çala, the two brothers found guilty of robbing billions of lek from the belly of an airplane at Rinas Airport several years ago, have officially requested the Constitutional Court to overturn the decision sentencing them to 37 years in prison.

According to the 2022 decision, Klement Çala will serve the sentence of 20 years in prison, while his brother, Eldi Çala, will spend 17 years in prison.

However, several years after the incident and the conviction upheld by the Supreme Court, the two brothers are asking the Constitutional Court to overturn the conviction, because they claim that the standards of due process have been violated.

Through their defense lawyers, the two brothers are requesting that their trial be restarted.

The other members of the group that participated in the mega-robbery of Rinas airport are Oltian Veseli, Renaldo Sula, Saimir Çela, Elton Pikli and the repentant justice Alkond Begasi. The charge against Talo Çela in this case has been separated, as he is still wanted.

Sentences given by the Court of First Instance and upheld by the Special Appeal and the High Court:

- Klement Çala, 20 years in prison

- Eldi Çala, 17 years in prison

- Oltian Veseli, 17 years in prison

- Renaldo Sula, 17 years in prison

- Saimir Çela, 17 years in prison

- Elton Pickley, 17 years in prison

- Alkond Bengasi, repentant of justice, 17 years in prison

Two other people were suspected of being involved in this incident, Admir Murataj, described as the "head of the group". But he died during the police pursuit of the robbers, after an exchange of fire, and in this case charges were not filed against him.

Also involved was a Kosovo Albanian, Ragip Hajdini. The latter was known by the nickname "Daja" and was arrested during an operation at "Shkëmbi i Kavajës". The 50-year-old was ill and died after 4 days in the Trauma Hospital in Tirana. The charges against him were dropped.

The robbery took place at Rinas Airport, at noon on April 9, 2019. A car without license plates that read "Tax Investigation" stole 4.6 million euros that were to be transported to Vienna. After carrying out the robbery, the perpetrators quickly left through the back door of the airport.


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