Azem Hajdari

Tropojë attack On June 4, 1998, at about 22:30, Hajdari and other members of the DP (including Jozefina Topalli and Vili Minarolli) were ambushed by gunmen. Bardhyl Pollo, former General Director of Albanian Radio and TV, was seriously wounded. Mazreku shot Hajdari five times with a pistol and ran from the hall. Hajdari was taken to a military hospital in grave condition. Mazreku ran to the nearby Albanian telegraph agency building, where he surrendered to police. Hajdari, however, claimed the attack was politically motivated.

Death On September 12, 1998, Hajdari was shot and killed as he stepped out of the Democratic Party's office in Tirana with his two bodyguards, Besim Çera, who was killed, and Zenel Neza, who was seriously injured but survived. The three men were shot by Fatmir Haklaj who had been waiting in a car parked nearby. Hajdari was taken to the hospital by Besnik Docaj, a fellow Democrat. Cangu was seriously injured, and later died in hospital.

Hajdari died of severe shock from trauma and hemorrhaging due to numerous wounds to the chest and stomach. Estimates of casualties during the protests and riots ranged between 3 and 7 deaths and 14 and 76 injuries. After 72 hours, the government restored order and reclaimed tanks and armored personnel carriers seized by DP supporters. Parliament subsequently lifted Berisha's immunity due to his alleged role in what the government described as a coup d'état, but no charges were laid. Berisha blamed the Socialist Party of Albania and its leaders for the murder. Twelve people were arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence. In February 2002, five people, including Jaho Mulosmani, were sentenced for the murder by a Tirana district court.

Legacy A monument honoring Hajdari and his bodyguard Besim Çera was placed on the crime scene where both were killed .

The entrance road towards Valbona Valley National Park in northern Albania bears his name.

Awards On October 2, 1998, Hajdari was posthumously awarded honorary citizenship of Tirana, and in 2007 he was decorated with the Skanderbeg's Order by president Bamir Topi.