Albanian spy chief,wanted for torture,living in UK with govt benefits

Former spy had earlier claimed asylum by posing as a Kosovan refugee after arriving in UK in 1996.

A former Eastern European spy chief wanted for torture and kidnapping has been reportedly living in a council flat on benefits in Britain for 15 years.

During an extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court,it was revealed that repeated attempts have been made to extradite Kumbaro to his native Albania for over two years,but have been constantly delayed by legal hitches and technicalities,the Daily Mail reports.

He court was told that a second warrant for his arrest had not been granted by the Albanian Supreme Court earlier this year because of a lack of judges.

Lawyers said the same Albanian court could decide on November or December about when the new warrant could be granted,allowing extradition proceedings to be finalised in Britain.

Fifty-six-year-old Balding Kumbaro had earlier claimed asylum by posing as a Kosovan refugee after arriving in the UK in August 1996. He has never worked during his 15-year stay in a council flat off Fulham Road in West London.

When Kumbaro arrived in the UK he claimed to be called Shaqa Shatri and then convinced immigration officials that he was a Kosovan refugee fleeing Serbian persecution. His false identity helped not only to remain in that country,but also attained a British passport,the paper said.

Kumbaro received the assistance because he told the authorities he was suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder after his treatment in Kosovo. Kumbaro was then able to live with his wife and son. He is currently living in a flat in Forest Hill,South-East London,and is reportedly on bail.