TIRANA, May 3 – Gjirokastra Deputy Mayor Aurel Lapa was physically assaulted on Thursday by a Gjirokastra prefecture topographer, Shefqet Alikaj, concerning what the municipality’s report called his “personal, rather than institutional” problems.
Local media reported the confrontation resulted in bloody punches from Alikaj’s side, while the motivation behind his actions is alleged concern over competence to administer Gjirokastra’s pastures under his ownership.
Pictures from Lapa’s office, where the fight took place behind closed doors, show pieces of broken vase and stains of blood on the floor, while it was reported the fight caused him face hematomas.
Lapa had already pressed charges, but so far Alikaj has not been arrested or suspended from duty.
Both men were transported to the hospital after being separated by other employees, where they are now being looked after until further investigations on the public scandal are conducted.
Although the municipality’s report called Alikaj’s motivation personal, Gjirokastra Mayor Zamira Rami told local media Lapa does not represent only a person, but the entire institution which was violated and, describing the event as unprecedented, called on police and the prosecution to punish Alikaj accordingly.
