Extradited man charged with two counts of murder

Lorik Lupqi was arrested after arriving in the UK on Tuesday

A man who was extradited to London from Kosovo has appeared in court charged with two counts of murder.

Lorik Lupqi, 21, is accused of killing 15-year-old Leonardo Reid and 23-year-old Klevi Shekaj who both died after being stabbed at a drill music video shoot in north London, on 29 June 2023.

Mr Lupqi, a Kosovan national, was arrested after arriving in the UK on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old is also charged with the attempted murder of Abdullah Abdiullahi, 28, who was injured in the same incident on Elthorne Road in Archway.

Leonardo Reid, 15, died at the scene in Elthorne Road, Islington

Mr Lupqi appeared at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and attended the Old Bailey on Friday by video-link.

Prosecutor Ben Lloyd told the Old Bailey there were already four other defendants in the case awaiting trial.

The prosecution applied for Mr Lupqi's case to be joined to that of Jason Furtado, 26, Abel Chunda, 27, Eden Clark, 29, and Xavier Poponne, 21, who are all charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Judge Mark Dennis KC directed for Mr Lupqi's case to be joined up with the other defendants'.

Mr Lupqi was remanded in custody ahead of a plea hearing on 27 January alongside Mr Furtado, Mr Chunda, Mr Clark and Mr Poponne.

The trial is set to start on 17 March and is due to last eight weeks.