Hemawand Ali Hussain: Hunt continues for four suspects involved in 'gangland' execution of cannabis farmer

Hemawand Ali Hussain was blasted to death at point blank range with a sawn-off shotgun when he was lured to the site of a potential cannabis farm.

Three men were convcited of his manslaughter following a two month trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Noza Saffari, Dorian Pirija and Qazim Marku were convicted for their roles in the killing of the 30-year-old but were cleared of his murder.

Today, Cleveland Police has issued photographs of another four men wanted in connection with the drug war slaying, including that of suspected gunman Daniel Kadiu.

Jurors heard how the 29-year-old was the man who pulled the trigger after Mr Hussain was forced to the ground inside a house on Charterhouse Road, Hartlepool, in September 2019.

The three other men on the wanted list are 35-year-old Sajmir Dodoveci; Armando Marku, 21, and 30-year-old Eugert Merizaj.

Sajmir Dodoveci (Image: Cleveland Police)

CCTV footage showed Dodoveci fleeing the scene of the fatal shooting with other accomplices, including Qazim Marku, who was jailed for 19 years yesterday.

Armando Marku (Image: Cleveland Police)

Armando Marku was captured in the same footage running away following the brutal slaying.

The final man on the list is Eugert Merizaj who was caught on CCTV driving a Fiat away from the murder scene and was also spotted driving in convoy with two other vehicles connected the investigation.

Eugert Merizaj

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Robinson said: “This is an ongoing investigation and four men remain wanted in connection with Mr Hussein’s death. If anyone has any information in relation to their whereabouts please contact 101.

“Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

The court heard how the organised crime group brought together members from Teesside, London and Bolton to carryout the ‘execution-style’ slaying.

Officers found gloves, cable ties, white nylon rope, screwdriver, and Stanley blades in a cupboard in the kitchen at the house.

CCTV footage and forensic analysis was used by detectives to identify the men involved in the conspiracy to murder Mr Hussain.

Saffari, 39, of Park Lane, Middlesbrough, was jailed for 15 years, while getaway driver 33-year-old Pirija, of Trillo Avenue, Bolton, was sentenced to 19 years in custody.

Illegal immigrant and scaffolder Marku, 25, of West Drayton, London, was also jailed for 19 years.

A fourth man, Anxelo Xhaferi, was cleared of both charges and was immediately released from custody.

Hemawand Ali Hussain

His family spoke of their pride in Mr Hussain's actions in the fight against ISIS in his Kurdish homeland.

His partner, Jennifer Buller, portrayed another side to the 30-year-old when she spoked at Teesside Crown Court as three men were jailed yesterday.