Driver for Albania’s interior minister found shot dead

TIRANA, Albania – Albanian police are reporting that the driver for the interior minister has been found shot dead.

A police statement said Shkelzen Qordja, 31, was found dead at his vehicle Saturday morning with a shot in his head and a MP5 submachine gun at hand. Two other cartridges were found inside the garage at the National Guard premises in central Tirana, the Albanian capital.

Minister Fatmir Xhafaj expressed regrets at the death of an “excellent employee” whom he said he considered part of his family. He urged the media “to respect the pain of his parents, brothers, and relatives.”

Qordja’s colleagues said they had not noticed that he was having any problems.