International fugitive arrested following extradition request

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A lawful permanent resident in the final stage of the naturalization process, who was convicted in Albania for a 1990 murder, was arrested Monday pursuant to an extradition request from the government of Albania. The arrest follows a more than two-year probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Special agents with HSI and members of the U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) arrested Altin Hasani, 40, aka Altin Hasni, at a Columbus residence without incident. He had an initial hearing in federal court Monday afternoon and was ordered remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

According to Albanian authorities, Hasani was convicted there for his role in a 1990 stabbing that killed one man. The information provided to HSI in the Albanian request for his extradition indicated Hasani was sentenced in absentia to 20 years imprisonment in 1999.

Hasani allegedly fled to the United States at an unknown date before facing charges in his native country. Hasani never disclosed the conviction in any documents related to his immigration benefits. HSI special agents spent two years using biometric information and extensive records checks to confirm Hasani's identity.

If he is ordered extradited in federal court, U.S. authorities will surrender him to the Albanian government to face charges.

Columbus SOFAST is a fugitive focused, U.S. Marshals Service led task force consisting of local, state, and federal authorities including the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Delaware County Sheriff's Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Columbus Police Department, Delaware County Probation, Ohio State Highway Patrol, HSI, Reynoldsburg Police Department, Genoa Township Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Attorney's Office.