A woman has told how she and her husband fled the country after witnessing an alleged murder.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said she watched in horror as Xhem Krasniqi was gunned down in Church Road, on May 18, 2013.

She claims she and her husband were so terrified for their own safety that they fled the country leading police to believe they were suspects.

The woman was walking with her husband Edmund Nela, when she said men came at them shooting with guns and wielding an axe.

The 32-year-old, who was born and grew up in Hampshire, said: “I just ran. I didn’t think, I just ran.”

When she turned back she thought she would see her husband lying in the street, but she saw another man being helped by passers-by, and the pair decided to leave the country immediately.

She said: “We were scared, scared that these people would try again. We knew we weren’t safe, we had to go.”

Police went on to launch a murder inquiry identifying 31-year-old Edmond as being at the scene.

They also identified his older brother Albert, 34, who claims he was in London at the time.

All three fled the country, heading for Paris and then on to Brussels.

It was there they saw appeals online by Sussex Police describing the brothers, who are originally from Albania and came to Britain 15 years ago, as wanted men.

She said: “At that point I knew we had to come home to clear our names, the information was so wrong.

“Albert wasn’t even there and there was no mention of me so I came back.”

'Genuine fear'

The woman was arrested and taken to Brighton where she was questioned by detectives for a day on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender.

Her brother-in-law was also arrested and questioned on conspiracy to commit murder.

Both were released on police bail.

Meanwhile Edmond was arrested in Milan on June 14 and is awaiting extradition on suspicion of murder, two attempted murders and possession of a pistol.

She added: “Looking back we shouldn’t have left but we were in genuine fear. We thought these people would try again.”

Father-of-two Mr Krasniqi, originally from Albania, was said to be walking with his nephew and brother when he was shot.

Sussex Police said they were keeping an open mind as to the motive behind the shooting.