The 2 organisers of a protest at which Albania’s nationwide flag was draped over a monument to Sir Winston Churchill are convicted individuals traffickers, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Brothers Taulant and Enkeleid Omi led a 1,500-strong protest exterior Parliament final month after Dwelling Secretary Suella Braverman mentioned Britain confronted an ‘invasion’ of unlawful migrants.
Additionally they led Albanian independence day celebrations that noticed a convoy of luxurious vehicles convey central London to a standstill and are plotting additional protests this month.
Final month Enkeleid Omi, 49, informed reporters: ‘We thought it was helpful for our group to point out we’re not what we’re referred to as. We’re not criminals. We’re not invaders.’
The Omi brothers pleaded responsible in 2015 of making an attempt to smuggle an Albanian girl into the UK, and that they themselves had arrived within the UK illegally. Taulant Omi (left) has recurrently attended drinks receptions on the Albanian embassy in London and was even pictured with popstar Rita Ora at an occasion on 4 February 2014
However this newspaper can reveal that the Omi brothers pleaded responsible in 2015 of making an attempt to smuggle an Albanian girl into the UK, and that they themselves had arrived within the UK illegally.
Albanian nationalist Taulant, 46, additionally claimed he was from war-torn Kosovo with a view to declare asylum within the UK.
His utility was refused however he gained an attraction in 2006 and later acquired British citizenship.
The Omi brothers whipped up protests after Ms Braverman promised to crack down.
Greater than 12,000 Albanians have crossed the English Channel this yr. Many are searching for asylum regardless of the actual fact Albania is a secure, war-free nation.
Their march sparked fury after protesters draped Albania’s flag over the statue of Churchill in Parliament Sq.. Taulant gave an impassioned speech.
He posted on social media forward of the protest that demonstrators would ‘get collectively and peacefully present them that we’re not criminals’.
However the brothers and one other confederate had been caught by Border Drive officers making an attempt to convey individuals into the UK illegally in Could 2013.
They had been discovered responsible at Canterbury Crown Courtroom in September 2015 and had been each given 12-month jail sentences, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to hold out 200 hours of group service.
The 1,500-strong march sparked fury after protesters draped Albania’s flag over the statue of Churchill in Parliament Sq.
Final night time Tory MP Sir John Hayes mentioned: ‘It’s a bitter irony that those that shame themselves by demeaning our nice warfare hero Churchill whereas claiming to be innocents are in truth villainous crooks. We needs to be deporting all overseas criminals and people who breach our borders with impunity.’
The Omi brothers, who had been born in Shkoder in northern Albania, now dwell in Bedford.
They’re influential figures within the Albanian group within the UK. Taulant, a builder, was pictured with pop star Rita Ora at an occasion in February 2014.
Final night time Taulant initially denied he was prosecuted in 2015, suggesting that Taulant Omi was his nickname and his solely relationship with Enkeleid was as ‘one other organiser’.
However after being offered with additional proof he mentioned: ‘Our protest is towards racism in the direction of the Albanian group which began with the assertion of Suella Braverman. It doesn’t matter what the previous of sure individuals, nobody has the appropriate to point out and help racism in the direction of a complete group.’
Enkeleid didn’t reply. A Dwelling Workplace spokesman mentioned: ‘We worth our Albanian group.’
