New details have emerged regarding the murder of police officer Muhamet Lika, revealing that four of the seven suspects arrested were previously convicted of various criminal offenses.
Several of the individuals now suspected in Lika’s killing had extensive histories with the justice system, including convictions for crimes such as rape, assault, and aggravated theft. Despite repeated sentencing and even educational measures, some continued to reoffend year after year.
The primary suspect, Rejhan Bela, had an active arrest warrant for failing to serve a prior sentence and had been evading authorities for five months before the murder.
According to the Basic Court of Ferizaj, another suspect, Haki Bela, had previously reached a mediation agreement for his involvement in joint minor bodily harm and was under indictment for inciting hatred and intolerance — a case still pending.
Vatan Çaka had the most extensive record, with multiple offenses dating back to his juvenile years. Despite being sentenced to educational measures twice (in 2021 and 2022) for theft-related crimes, he continued to reoffend. In 2023, he was also convicted for aggravated theft.
Meanwhile, Edmond Lika was sentenced to 90 days in prison for joint minor bodily harm, a sentence later converted to a fine of €1,400. His case remains under appeal at the Court of Appeals of Kosovo.
The suspects now in custody — Rejhan Bela, Haki Bela, Diamant Gashi, Rilind Murati, Vatan Çaka, and Edmond Lika — are being held under pretrial detention on suspicions of organizing and executing the killing of Officer Muhamet Lika.
The tragic incident occurred on April 1, 2025, inside Lika’s apartment building in Kaçanik. The arrests of the seven suspects were made earlier this week.
