TIRANA, Jan.19 – The circumstances surrounding the wounding of a judge remain a mystery, while authorities have launched an official investigation into the case.
Artan Gjermeni, a judge at the Tirana District Court, was hospitalized on Sunday due to several injuries to his body. The judge claimed that the wounds were self-inflicted as a result of being accidentally cut while working in his garage.
An initial investigation found no blood traces or any sharp objects that could have caused the injuries. Moreover, doctors claimed that some of the judge’s injuries did not match the pattern of self-inflicted wounds, raising further suspicions.
Investigators found a sum of about 20,000 Euros in cash in his vehicle, which together with his car, were seized as material evidence.
Although the judge was uncooperative with the investigation, maintaining his self-injury claims, police suspect the judge was wounded by another person. While the real motive behind this act remains a mystery, investigations are focusing on his duty as a judge or a possible momentary conflict with another person.
Meanwhile, the case has been taken over by the Durres Court since Gjermeni’s position as a judge at Tirana’s District Court constitutes conflict of interest.
Gjermeni has served as a judge at Tirana Court for over 10 years. Previously, he has been a member of the High Council of Justice as well as the head of the Lushnja Court.
