Female student killed; refused to be exploited and trafficked for prostitution

TIRANA, Oct. 30 – A 19-year old student of the Greek language, Esmeralda Lahi, was killed Monday evening downtown Tirana, allegedly by Arben Mertiri, 31, her boyfriend, police reported. Lahi’s close friend, Marsela Guri, who was with her at the moment of death and who also suffered some minor injuries, was also arrested for allegedly collaborating with the suspect, according to police. Arben Mertiri was arrested in the Kruja village of Derven where he was sheltered by Anton Gjini, 24. Gjini was also arrested for hiding a suspected killer. It is believed that Lahi had rejected an attempt from her boyfriend to be sent somewhere abroad for prostitution. “It is suspected that the murder was motivated because of trafficking and exploiting the victim for prostitution,” said a police statement. Lahi had appeared on last year Top Channel television station telling how she had broken up with another lover more than a year ago and had tried to commit suicide by throwing herself from the sixth floor.
Taking that death as a clear example, a group of women, supporters of the opposition Socialsit Party, held a protest in Tirana on Tuesday against violence toward women. They tried to raise public awareness for violence against women saying such crimes damage the already bad reputation of Albania. They also called for improvement of the legislataion in that context.