A conflict at a bar in Sarandë escalated to the assault of the police station’s Crimes Chief, Maeto Bakalli, who had intervened to stop the clash. According to the official version, the incident led to the arrest of six people, while another has been declared wanted.
How the clash began
According to the information made public, Bakalli had entered to prevent a conflict between two bar security guards and several other people present.
But the intervention did not stop the fight. The physical confrontation continued and, according to the same version, at that moment the Crimes Chief himself was also attacked.
The footage and the intervention of the ‘Shqiponja’ unit
The video shows the moment of tension inside the bar, where the situation remains out of control for several moments even after the presence of the police officer.
Three officers from the ‘Shqiponja’ unit are then seen intervening after Bakalli’s request for assistance, with the aim of neutralizing the conflict.
Names of those arrested
According to police, those arrested are Marjo Katiraj, Elgent Ndoj, Ardit Kasemi, identified as a serviceman, Faik Hoxha, Besnik Sullollari and Indrit Cullhaj.
Pjetër Doçi has also been declared wanted.
Questions over security and the response
The incident once again raises questions about the level of public order control in public venues, as well as the ability of local structures to curb the escalation of violence in time.
Up to this stage, authorities have provided only their version of the dynamics of the conflict, while it remains to be seen what the investigation and the full footage of the episode will clarify.
The clash in Sarandë is another case that puts the focus not only on violence in nightlife venues, but also on the exposure of police officers themselves during interventions on the ground.
For the moment, the publicly reported toll stands at six arrested and one person wanted.