Adelaide bikie Leonard Gjeka deported to Albania under heavy escort
A former Adelaide bikie who was on the run for more than a week after escaping immigration detention has been deported to his native Albania.
Leonard Gjeka arrived in his homeland under heavy escort late on Tuesday night, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton confirmed.
The former Comanchero bikie was awaiting deportation when he escaped from Melbourne's Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre with another man last month, and was on the run for eight days.
Mr Gjeka was suspected of shooting a man in the kneecap at Adelaide's San Giorgio pizza bar in July 2009, but charges were dropped in 2012 because the victim could not be contacted to give evidence.
Mr Gjeka himself survived an attempted hit in the Adelaide Hills in 2010.
He was shot in the groin and lost a fingertip when he answered his front door at Mount Barker to someone dressed as a Telstra worker.
In a statement, Mr Dutton said Mr Gjeka's deportation came 42 days after his recapture, and would serve as a warning to other bikies.
"I make absolutely no excuses for removing a person of Mr Gjeka's character," he said.
"He has been involved in extremely violent offences in Adelaide and escaped from lawful detention.
"Mr Gjeka is a perfect example of somebody we do not want in this country."
Mr Dutton said Mr Gjeka, who was an associate of former Adelaide gang leader Vincenzo Focarelli, had arrived in Australia illegally.
"Mr Gjeka arrived in Australia on a false passport and made numerous attempts to remain permanently but all failed," he said.
"People who do not hold a valid visa, and have exhausted all avenues to remain, should leave Australia."
