Sabajet Shuti Jailed for Life Over Fatal Stabbing of Lumturi Zeqja in Leytonstone
A 31-year-old man from Barking has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of a young man outside a café in Leytonstone, following an international manhunt and extradition.
Sabajet Shuti, of Upney Lane, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years at Southwark Crown Court on Friday (June 27). He was previously found guilty of murder, possession of a knife, and grievous bodily harm following a trial that concluded on April 14.
The court heard how Shuti fatally stabbed 27-year-old Lumturi Zeqja outside a café on Church Lane, Leytonstone, on the night of October 16, 2022.
Armed attack outside café
Lumturi was standing with a friend outside the café shortly before 10.40pm when Sabajet Shuti and his brother, Emirlion Shuti, arrived in two separate cars. The prosecution described how Emirlion drove erratically along the road before attacking Lumturi’s friend.
As the confrontation escalated, Sabajet Shuti drew a knife and stabbed Lumturi twice, and his friend once. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, Lumturi was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the attack, both brothers fled. Sabajet attempted to evade capture by shaving off his beard and fleeing to France via Folkestone, ultimately reaching Sweden, where he was arrested in October 2023.
He was extradited back to the UK to face trial. Meanwhile, his brother Emirlion was arrested earlier and later convicted of affray, receiving a 20-month suspended sentence.
‘Went to great lengths to escape justice’
Detective Inspector Brett Hagen of the Metropolitan Police described the case as one of premeditated violence, saying:
“The level of violence Sabajet Shuti used was completely unnecessary – he went out that night armed with a knife with clear intent to cause serious harm. His actions cost Lumturi Zeqja his life and inflicted immeasurable pain on his loved ones.”
He added:
“Shuti went to great lengths to avoid justice, constantly changing location. But while he was on the run, our detectives were building a compelling case and working with international partners to bring him back to face justice.”
The court also heard that the motive remains unclear but appeared to stem from a volatile and escalating confrontation initiated by the Shuti brothers.
Community impact and closure
The murder shocked the Leytonstone community and led to a lengthy investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies across Europe.
Lumturi Zeqja’s family welcomed the sentencing but said their pain will never subside. A family spokesperson said:
“There is no justice that can bring Lumturi back. He was loved, full of life, and taken from us in an act of senseless violence.”
Anyone with further information about the case or other related incidents is urged to contact the police on 101, quoting reference 6192/16OCT22. Anonymous tips can be provided via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
