ICE removes Albanian fugitive sought on murder charges

NEW YORK - An Albanian national who fled to the United States to avoid a prison sentence on murder charges in his native country was turned over to Albanian authorities Friday following his capture by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Leke Suka, 41, entered the country in 2007 under false pretenses. An international warrant was issued and a subsequent investigation revealed Suka, who was living in the Bronx, was wanted in Albania to serve a sentence on premeditated murder charges. He was convicted and sentenced in 2002 on the charges.

ICE officers arrested Leke in 2009 and detained him throughout his removal proceedings due to the outstanding Albanian warrant and his prior history of attempting to evade justice. An immigration judge ordered Leke removed to Albania in June 2010. Leke was returned to Albania to face his 16-year prison sentence. Leke arrived in Albania and was turned over to Albanian authorities early this morning on a flight that originated at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

"Through this removal we are securing our community while enabling the Albanian justice system to run its course," said Christopher Shanahan, field office director for ICE ERO in New York. "Whenever ICE deports these wanted fugitives, both countries benefit."