After continuous and close cooperation over the past few months between the Greek and Albanian police authorities, Albanian fugitive Ilir Koupa was arrested earlier on Saturday in Albania.
The Greek police’s Ilir Koupa task force, which was set up after the escape of the 27-year-old last March from prison in Trikala along with ten other Albanians, traced the fugitive through his wife. She left Greece eight days ago and led the Albanian authorities directly to the hideout of her husband.
A European arrest warrant had been issued for Koupa, who is wanted on felony charges in Greece. Extradition proceedings have already begun for his return to Greece.
On March 22, 2013, Koupa escaped along with nine other inmates from Trikala, initiating a nationwide manhunt by Greek authorities. The escapees, while trying to reach Albania, broke into at least into 30 uninhabited cottages in different areas of central and northern Greece, looking for food, clothing, blankets and anything of use in their escape.
In May 2013 a hotel employee was killed after she was caught in cross-fire between Koupa and the police. In June the Albanian fugitive killed a 37-year-old police officer while resisting arrest. In July Koupa was spotted again and in the ensuing shoot-out with the Greek police’s Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (EKAM), one of Koupa’s accomplices Mario Kola was shot dead near Ioannina in north-western Greece.
Of the ten escapees, only two remain at large and are wanted by the Greek police.
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