Peshkopi extortion attempt leads to arrest of 21-year-old

A 21-year-old man, Engjëll Karoshi, has been arrested following an extortion attempt against businessman Zija Shulku in Peshkopi, Albania. Karoshi admitted to investigators that he placed a suspicious box at a fuel station to pressure the businessman for money, a move he claimed was motivated by his acquaintance with the victim's son.

The perpetrator demanded 50 million lek (approximately 50,000 euros) to be transferred via Bitcoin. The threat was delivered through a box that contained a note and materials suspected of being an improvised explosive device. Upon discovery, police cordoned off the area for approximately three hours, diverting traffic and involving RENEA specialists to neutralize the device.

Following a review of security camera footage, police identified Karoshi. While the box was neutralized, investigations revealed it did not contain actual explosive material. The case remains under investigation by the Prosecutor's Office.