FILE- In this Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 file photo, a drone with an Albanian flag flies over Partizan stadium during the Euro 2016 Group I qualifying match between Serbia and Albania in Belgrade, Serbia. An Albanian soccer fan wanted by Serbia for allegedly flying a drone carrying a nationalist banner over a match is asking Albanian authorities, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, to prevent his extradition to Belgrade. Ismail Morinaj has been under arrest in Croatia since June. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, Files)
Republished September 08, 2017 - 7:52 AM
Original Publication Date September 08, 2017 - 6:36 AM
TIRANA, Albania - An Albanian soccer fan wanted by Serbia for allegedly flying a drone carrying a nationalist banner over a match is asking Albanian authorities to prevent his extradition to Belgrade.
Ismail Morinaj has been under arrest in Croatia since June. Online news site Balkanweb says Morinaj issued a public letter to Albania's government on Friday.
A European Championship qualifying match between Serbia and Albania in October 2014 turned violent after a drone carrying an Albanian banner appeared over the pitch.
Morinaj insists Serbia's warrant is politically motivated. He says he fears he won't get a fair trial in Serbia and has sought political asylum in Croatia to avoid extradition.
Croatia's Supreme Court rejected his appeal. The final decision on extradition will be made by Croatia's justice minister.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017