Sajmir Dodoveci was extradited to the UK this week and charged with the murder of Hemawand Ali Hussain in September 2019.
Sue Kirby Multi-media Journalist
09:37, 10 Jan 2026
Hemawand Ali Hussain and police presence on Charterhouse Street, Hartlepool in 2019(Image: )
A man has been charged in relation to the 2019 murder of a North East man, following extensive international police operations.
In the ongoing investigation into the murder of Hemawand Ali Hussain in Hartlepool, which involves Cleveland Police, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and international partners, Sajmir Dodoveci, 40, was apprehended at a train station in Brussels on Tuesday, December 23.
Dodoveci was extradited to the UK this week and subsequently charged with the murder of Mr Hussain, who was shot at close range inside a house on Charterhouse Street in September 2019. Dodoveci appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Friday, January 9, and was remanded until his appearance at Teesside Crown Court next Tuesday, January 13.
Previous extensive enquiries by Cleveland Police resulted in Eugert Merizaj being sentenced to life imprisonment for Mr Hussain’s murder. Merizaj, 33, of Montague Street in Leicester, was found guilty of murder by a jury after a trial in March 2022 and was sentenced to 32 years in prison.
Three other men were imprisoned in January 2021 after being found guilty of manslaughter. They are Noza Saffari, 40, of Park Lane in Middlesbrough, who was sentenced to 15 years, Dorian Pirija, 34, of Trillo Avenue in Bolton, who received a 19-year sentence, and Qazim Marku, 28, of West Drayton In London, also sentenced to 19 years, reports Teesside Live.
A 34 year old man was apprehended in Belgium in February 2024, with plans underway for his extradition to face trial. Meanwhile, another suspect, Armando Marku, a 26 year old Albanian, remains at large.
Detective Inspector Lyndsey Dale from Cleveland Police, the Senior Investigating Officer on the case, stated: “Despite the passage of time, this case remains a priority for the force and we’ve made significant progress through extensive enquiries – both in the UK and overseas.
“This is a complex and challenging case which has required collaboration across multiple jurisdictions over a number of years. Our officers and partner agencies including international organisations and the NCA have worked tirelessly throughout this period, and we continue to pursue every possible lead.
“I’d like to thank my team and all those involved for their continued collaboration and for sharing our commitment to achieving justice for Hemawand Ali Hussain and his family, no matter how long it takes.
“Over recent months, our dedicated detectives have engaged with law enforcement agencies in Europe, sharing intelligence and conducting extensive enquiries. These international enquiries have been crucial in developing new lines of investigation which have resulted in this most recent arrest.
“All our thoughts remain with Mr Hussain’s family and with his wife and sons who are being kept up to date with developments throughout.”
Detective Inspector Dale issued a stern warning: “We’ll now be doubling down on our efforts to locate and arrest Armando Marku who is still wanted in connection with this murder.
“Our enquiries at home and overseas lead us to believe he has left the UK and is currently abroad so we’re working closely with international law enforcement agencies to trace and apprehend him; this will be the continued focus of the investigation team going forward. We will not stop and we will use all available methods to find him.
“I urge anyone who has information about Armando Marku or his current location to come forward. Even the smallest detail could assist our investigation. Please contact Cleveland Police on 101 quoting incident number SE19159141(Operation Chard).
“And when Mr Marku sees this update, as I am sure he will, I’d urge him to come forward and hand himself into to local law enforcement since it’s only a matter of time before the police come to him and effect his arrest.”