The federal prosecution has requested life imprisonment for Franc Çopja, found guilty on Friday by the Assize Court in Brussels of ordering the murder of Ardit Spahiu, as well as of leading a criminal organization. The prosecutors also requested that he be made available to the Tribunal for the Implementation of Sentences for a minimum period of five years.
According to the indictment, there are no mitigating circumstances that can be legitimately recognized for Franc Çopjan. During the final phase of the six-week trial, held in the Justitia building, prosecutors described him as the “mastermind” behind the criminal enterprise that led to the murder committed on November 27, 2020 in Molenbeek.
Prosecutor Nathalie Franco presented a harsh portrait of the defendant, citing traits such as "strategic intelligence, manipulative and dangerous nature, complete lack of empathy, extreme dangerousness and an aggressive and criminal mentality."
According to her, Çopja is wanted in Albania for several serious criminal offenses, although he has no previous convictions in Belgium.
The 33-year-old has been in custody in Belgium since December 29, 2023, following extradition from the United Arab Emirates. Originally from Albania, he left his homeland at the age of 16 to work in Italy, before moving to Dubai in 2019. There he became involved in drug trafficking and was linked to a “clan war” between Albanian families.
