A convicted Albanian terrorist has claimed he will be "executed for revenge" in his homeland in an appeal against his deportation.
Maksim Cela, 59, who planned to bomb a football stadium and killed a police officer, has claimed that "terrifying gang groups" will come after him to resolve a "blood feud" if he is not allowed to remain in the UK.
Cela was jailed for five years in 2001 after planning to detonate a bomb at a 12,000-seat football stadium.
In 2006, he received a 25-year sentence for "participation in criminal organisations", murdering a police officer, and weapons offences.
He served more than 23 years before being released in December 2022, an immigration tribunal in London heard.
Maksim Cela claims he would be at risk from rival mobsters if returned to his home countrySUPPLIEDFollowing his release, Cela left Albania for Spain, then travelled to Italy before flying to the UK in January 2023.
He admitted to using a false passport to enter Britain via Heathrow Airport.
The Albanian told authorities he came to the UK "to be with his family" after serving his prison sentence.
When initially interviewed by the Home Office, Cela claimed "three terrifying gang groups" were "coming after" him because he was a member of the "Lushnje gang".
He has since changed his account, according to Home Office lawyers, and now claims he was never part of any gang.
"It was politically motivated," Cela told the tribunal through an interpreter. "I was merely a businessman."
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Cela claimed that 'terrifying gang groups' will come after him if the Home Office boots him out of Britain
PAHe claimed there were four attempts to kill him while in prison.
Home Office representatives described Cela as a "violent terrorist" who should be deported, and argue he has exaggerated the threat from rival gangs to avoid removal.
They believe he could receive protection from Albanian authorities or relocate to another area of the country if deported.
"It's right that you are someone who does and says whatever you want in order to get what you want isn't it?" Paul Skinner, representing the Home Office, told the criminal.
"You really want to be in the UK to be with your wife and daughter and you are willing to do whatever it takes in order to stay," he added.
Cela admitted to using a false passport to enter Britain via Heathrow Airport
PA
Cela's asylum claim was rejected by a judge at the First Tier immigration tribunal - but his separate claim that his life was at risk from rival gangs was accepted under Article Three of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The Home Office appealed against this decision, and a panel of judges set aside the ruling after finding an "error of law".
The Upper Tier Tribunal will now make a final decision on whether Cela can remain in the UK.
Cela, who was born in the Albanian city of Lushnje, represented himself at the hearing.
He previously claimed to have worked as a businessman running a car dealership in Germany and having experience in a dental clinic and hospital.
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