A mother from the UK facing charges in Albania for her alleged involvement in a “hit squad” is resisting extradition from a undisclosed location due to concerns of potential retaliation. Harriet Bridgeman, aged 30, supposedly disguised as a tourist alongside three accomplices, checked into a luxury hotel owned by their target, Ardian Nikulaj. They are accused of surveilling his activities, dining for free, and engaging in conversations with his spouse.
A member of the group reportedly entered the hotel restaurant days later and shot Nikulaj six times at close range. Disturbing CCTV footage captured the moment of the attack using a Soviet-made automatic gun before the perpetrator fled the scene. Bridgeman currently resides in a coastal hotel with amenities like a gym, spa, pool, and eateries, under a nightly curfew from 10 pm to 6 am. She was released on bail after her father paid a £20,000 bond to Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
To safeguard Bridgeman from potential harm, District Judge Michael Snow imposed a restriction on disclosing her location. Unaware guests and families at the hotel freely interact with Bridgeman, oblivious to the accusations against her related to the planned assassination.
The other suspects, Steven Hunt, 51, Thomas Mithan, 37, from Bristol, and Harry Simpson, 34, a convicted drug dealer from Abbey Wood, south London, are implicated in the case. Allegedly, one of them signaled the shooter to act. Edmond Haxhia, a British-Albanian aged 40, is accused of orchestrating the hit as part of a long-standing feud spanning 25 years between his family and the victim’s, originating from a murder in 1997.
The ongoing feud has resulted in numerous deaths and reportedly began over financial disputes. Bridgeman, Hunt, Mithan, and Haxhia were apprehended in the UK on international warrants soon after the murder. Despite denying the allegations and contesting extradition, all five suspects face imminent extradition following a ruling by District Judge Daniel Sternberg.
The appeal process, spanning three days at the Court of Appeal, is ongoing, with the Home Office acknowledging a potential error that could jeopardize the proceedings. Initially charged with illegal possession of firearms and murder, the suspects now face “pre-meditated murder” charges after the firearms accusations were dropped by Albanian authorities in September 2023.
The Home Office requested written assurances from Albania regarding the charges to prevent legal exploitation by the defendants’ lawyers. Albania provided the necessary documentation ahead of the recent appeal hearing.
