An Albanian national serving a prison sentence in the United Kingdom for rape is wanted by authorities in Kosovo for an armed robbery that occurred seven years ago.
Rinor Korqa, 28, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison in January 2024 for his role in a “predatory” attack on a woman in the London borough of Havering. The victim, who had been separated from her friends during a night out, said she was raped by a man while an accomplice filmed the incident on his phone.
Korqa now faces extradition to Kosovo, where he is required to stand trial for an alleged robbery committed in the Pristina region on December 22, 2017. British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to make the final decision, after the request has been pending in British courts for seven months.
According to the charges, Korqa entered the Jashari family’s home in the village of Havjali and stole a wallet containing 1,500 euros, $50, an identification document, a gold coin and a phone. He is said to have been in possession of a firearm or an imitation firearm. He was arrested in the United Kingdom on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by Kosovo for alleged offences under the Theft Act 1968 and Section 72 of the Extradition Act 2003.
Kosovo, which has a “type B” agreement with the United Kingdom, must present “prima facie” evidence to support its extradition requests. Such requests are initially considered by the courts, with the final decision being made by the Secretary of State.
Korqa, from Romford in East London, along with his accomplice Bujar Jashari from Southend, were sentenced on January 24 last year at Snaresbrook Crown Court, after being found guilty two days earlier. Korqa was sentenced to five years and six months in prison for rape and for failing to give his phone's PIN code, while Jashari, 36, was sentenced to seven years in prison for rape.
The attack took place on June 25, 2023 in the center of Hornchurch, when the victim was approached by two men in a bar, where she was alone after being separated from her friends. She was driven away and raped by one of them, while the other filmed the incident. Staff at the bar cooperated with police, while employees of another bar said the suspects were seen approaching several women before leaving with the victim.
Detective Constable Charlie Yexley, from Havering Detective Department, said after the sentencing: "This was a complex investigation into two predatory attackers who would likely have continued to commit such acts had it not been for the courage of the victim who reported the incident. We take allegations of this type very seriously and I hope this case will encourage other victims of rape and sexual assault to come forward, at least to ensure they are safe and supported."Metro.co.uk
