After losing a court battle with convicted criminal Gjelosh Kolicaj, the UK may have to rethink its approach to revoking citizenship without prior notice.

The UK Home Office is facing increasing scrutiny after a landmark court ruling blocked the government from stripping citizenship from foreign-born criminals without proper notice. The case of Gjelosh Kolicaj, a dual British-Albanian national convicted of serious financial crimes, has ignited a national debate over human rights, national security, and due process.

Albanian Crime Boss Escapes Deportation

As first reported by The Sun, Kolicaj—who was convicted in 2018 for laundering £8 million through a criminal network smuggling cash from the UK to Albania—had his British citizenship revoked by then-Home Secretary Priti Patel in 2021. The revocation order came just 30 minutes after he was officially notified, giving him no time to mount a legal defense. According to The Sun, Patel justified the decision by stating that Kolicaj’s “serious, organized crimes and collaboration with others” warranted immediate deportation in the interest of public safety.

However, Kolicaj challenged the move, arguing that it violated his rights under the British Nationality Act 1981, which requires the government to provide adequate written notice before revoking citizenship. As ICS Legal, a UK immigration law firm, explains, individuals must be given a fair chance to appeal such decisions under the law.

Court Declares Procedure ‘Unfair’

In a pivotal ruling, the Court of Appeal sided with Kolicaj. According to coverage by BHD Solicitors, the court found the process “procedurally unfair” and ruled that Patel’s decision had denied Kolicaj any meaningful opportunity to present arguments in his defense. The judge notably criticized the Home Office for prioritizing expediency over justice, stating that “Mr. Kolicaj had his citizenship removed without the chance at any stage to present reasons why it should not happen.”

Implications Beyond a Single Case

This ruling has cast a wider net of concern. According to Case Law on Statelessness in Europe, at least two other men—Qari Abdul Rauf and Adil Khan, both originally from Pakistan—were also left stateless after being stripped of British citizenship without being granted sufficient time to contest the decision. Their situations now mirror Kolicaj’s and may serve as legal precedent for further appeals.

Kolicaj, who obtained British citizenship in 2009 through marriage, allegedly used his UK passport shortly thereafter to orchestrate the smuggling of cash across Europe. As The Sun details, he reportedly took over 80 trips from Stansted Airport, with money later moved into Albania by land routes.

Despite his release from prison, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has continued to describe Kolicaj as a public threat. In internal Home Office documents cited by The Sun, officials noted that “removing Kolicaj’s British citizenship would benefit public safety, significantly aiding in preventing further criminal activities within the organized crime group where he held a prominent role.”

Government Stands Firm Despite Ruling

Following the court decision, a Home Office spokesperson reiterated the government’s stance: “Foreign nationals committing crimes should have no doubt we will take every measure to remove them swiftly from British streets.” As stated on GOV.UK, the Home Office is now appealing the judgment in a bid to retain the power to expedite deportations in extreme cases.

Balancing Security and Rights

Under the British Nationality Act 1981, the Home Secretary is empowered to revoke citizenship if it is “conducive to the public good,” provided the person is not rendered stateless. As Legislation.gov.uk outlines, this clause has become increasingly contested as more individuals—particularly those with complex dual nationality histories—challenge the fairness of sudden revocation procedures.

As the UK government pushes forward with its appeal, legal experts warn that the outcome of the Kolicaj case could define the limits of executive power and reshape citizenship laws for years to come.