An Albanian man serving a prison sentence in the UK for rape is wanted in Kosovo for an armed robbery at a family home seven years ago.
Rinor Korqa, 28, was locked up for five years and six months in January 2024 for his role in the ‘predatory’ attack on a woman in the London borough of Havering.
The victim, who had become separated from her friends on a night out, recalled being raped by one man while an accomplice filmed her ordeal on his phone.
Korqa now faces extradition to Kosovo under proceedings to bring him before the courts over the alleged robbery in the Pristina region on December 22, 2017.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been asked to make a decision on the request, which has been continuing through the British courts for seven months.
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Korqa is accused of entering the Jashari family’s residence in Havjali village and stealing a wallet containing 1,500 euros, $50, an ID document, a gold lira and a smartphone.
The defendant, originally from Kosovo, is said to have had a ‘firearm or imitation firearm’ at the time.
He was arrested in the UK under a warrant issued by Kosovo for alleged offences contrary to the Theft Act 1968 and Section 72 of the Extradition Act 2003. Kosovo has a ‘type B’ treaty with the UK, meaning it has to provide ‘prima facie’ evidence in support of an extradition request.
The country, which borders Albania to the south-west, is among those where such requests have to go before the courts, with the Secretary of State making the final decision.
Korqa, from Romford, east London, and accomplice Bujar Jashari, from Southend, were jailed at Snaresbrook Crown Court on January 24 last year, having been convicted two days previously.
Korqa was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment for rape and failing to disclose his mobile phone PIN while Jashari, 36, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for rape.
The attack took place in Hornchurch town centre on June 25, 2023, when the victim was approached by two men as she found herself separated from her friends and alone in a bar.
They took her to a car where she was driven away and raped by one of the men while the other filmed on his phone.
Staff at the venue aided the police investigation and it was discovered from workers at another bar nearby that the suspects had been seen approaching several women before leaving with the victim.
Detective Sergeant Charlie Yexley, of the Havering crime investigation department, said shortly after the sentencing: ‘This was a complex investigation into two predatory offenders who would likely still be offending now if it wasn’t for the bravery of the victim in coming forward.
‘We take allegations of this type very seriously and I hope this case encourages other victims of rape and sexual assault to come forward, at the very least so we can ensure you are okay and supported.’
Metro has approached the Home Office for comment.
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