LONDON, Dec. 10 – A suspected Albanian gangster carrying a loaded pistol and silencer has been arrested outside the home of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, according to the British press.
The man, 56, named as Kujtim Nurka was stopped in his car as he drove in Connaught Street, central London, on Monday at 11.15pm after officers on patrol became suspicious and arrested him for several traffic and documentation offences.
About 25 minutes later, a passer-by approached a uniformed officer on guard outside Blair’s 3.5 million pounds Connaught Square townhouse.
He handed the officer a black pistol, loaded with several bullets and fitted with a silencer, saying he found it in the gutter.
Investigators quickly linked the discovery of the gun with the arrest of the Albanian and he was re-arrested on suspicion of holding a prohibited weapon. Forensic tests including fingerprinting and DNA analysis are under way.
It is understood that there was no threat to Blair’s safety and the location of the arrest is believed to be entirely coincidental.
