At the Basic Court of Pristina, the co-accused in the murder case of Liridona Ademaj, Kushtrim Kokalla, gave his defense today, denying that he had any agreement with the other two accused, Naim Murseli and Granit Plava, to carry out the killing.
He also denied receiving any money for this purpose and stated that he did not introduce Murseli to Plava, who, according to the prosecution, is the shooter in the murder of Liridona Ademaj.
Initially, Kokalla answered questions from his lawyer, Ndrec Dodaj, while later the court decided to close the session to the public, arguing that questions could involve the private life of Naim Murseli and Liridona Ademaj.
The accused described meetings he had with the other two defendants but insisted he did not mediate or arrange any agreement for the murder.
“I did not meet Granit, nor did I make any agreement whatsoever,” he said.
Kokalla said that after his arrest, police investigators told him he had created the scenario for the murder of Liridona.
“They told me why I was arrested, saying that I was the main person in this case, and even though I did not pull the trigger, I created the scenario, and that it is in our interest and yours to tell us how you created it,” he said.
When asked by his lawyer whether Naim Murseli had offered him money for the murder of his wife, Liridona Ademaj, Kokalla first said he did not remember. However, after being confronted with his earlier police statement, he said he did not accept any money, either before or after the incident.
“I don’t remember being offered money for the murder of his wife… I stated earlier that money was offered, but I never accepted it before or after the incident. I explained more in the police, but they did not include everything in the record,” Kokalla said.
Speaking about a second meeting with Murseli and Plava at a fuel station, Kokalla said Murseli gave him 300 euros for a loan installment, while 500 euros were given to Plava with the words “enjoy it.”
He also stated that he had taken a 25,000-euro housing loan for Murseli.
“He gave me 300 euros for the loan payment. Then he gave 500 euros to Granit… I don’t remember if Granit said anything, he just gave it and said ‘enjoy it,’ and I was shocked,” he said.
Regarding the night of the incident, Kokalla said he met Murseli in Gjakova while his car was being repaired. He said they discussed problems between Murseli and his wife, but denied his earlier police statement from 1 December 2023.
“I was at home playing cards with my cousins. Flori called me and asked if I had seen the news. I tried calling Naim, but his phone was off. After 20–30 minutes I learned it was a murder. Then I went to Pristina with my father and uncle to the police station where Naim was,” he said.
He added that he later accompanied Murseli to a hotel and attended Liridona Ademaj’s funeral due to long-standing family ties.
The questioning continued behind closed doors, and the next hearing is scheduled for 17 April.
Liridona Ademaj was killed on 29 November 2023, at around 08:25 PM, on “Dalip Alshiqi” street in Pristina. The case was initially reported as a robbery-related killing.
