A serious conflict at a hotel bar in Mali i Robit, in Golem, ended with an 18-year-old waiter being injured, while the footage released so far shows only what happened outside the business premises. The most unclear part of the incident remains what happened inside the bar, where, according to the procedural actions of the investigative team, the security cameras’ DVR had been removed and the cables had been cut.
What the footage outside the bar shows
The video shows 18-year-old Genti Nela running out of the bar in an attempt to escape pursuit and violence from several people. At one moment he stops, turns around and punches Florian Habilaj, who falls to the ground.
Immediately after that moment, the four people placed under criminal investigation continue assaulting the young man. The footage sheds light only on the part of the fight that took place outside the bar, while the dynamics of the conflict inside still remain without a full visual account.
Removed DVR and cut cables
One of the most problematic elements of this incident concerns the lack of footage from inside the bar. Actions at the scene found that the DVR device of the security cameras had been removed and the cables had been cut.
This fact raises further questions about what happened inside, where, according to the 18-year-old’s statement, the physical conflict began before it also erupted outside the business.
Dismissal from work and the 18-year-old’s account
The incident happened on August 27, the day the young man was told that he had to leave his job as a waiter. According to the information made public, he was informed unexpectedly in the evening and asked for an explanation as to why he had not been warned earlier, so that he could find another job.
Also according to his statement, leaving in that manner also meant losing the pay for at least 20 days of work. He has also claimed that during his period of employment he had faced insulting communication and verbal mistreatment, while the last day ended in physical violence and then in hospital.
The 18-year-old, who is reported to have just finished high school and was working seasonally to earn income, was left with two stitches to the back of his head, a broken tooth and a fractured nose.
Arrests and conflicting versions
Over the incident, Florian Habilaj and Enold Dragoti have been remanded in custody for 45 days, accused of intentional serious injury. Another owner, Arbër Habilaj, has been declared wanted, while another person is being investigated while free.
Four days after the incident, at the Durres Court, Florian Habilaj appeared with a small bandage on the upper part of his head. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old’s uncle, 47-year-old Melson Nela, has also been arrested.
According to Police, he was caught with a Kalashnikov in his car and was suspected of heading toward the hotel for revenge. He contested that version in court, where he is facing the charge of illegal possession of weapons.
The incident remains marked by several unclear links, especially regarding what happened inside the bar at the moments for which video footage is missing.
It is precisely there that the seriousness of the investigation is expected to be tested: not only over the violence against the 18-year-old, but also over the circumstances that led to the disappearance of the security recordings.