A physical clash took place on May 14 in one of the cafes in the center of Skënderaj, where those involved in this conflict were Hysni Mehanit, Deputy Minister of Finance, candidate for deputy and head of the branch of the Vetëvendosje Movement in Skënderaj, and Sami Lushtaku, mayor of Skënderaj Municipality.
Hysni Mehani and Vetëvendosje Movement activist Bahri Zabeli claimed that they were brutally attacked by Sami Lushtaku and his bodyguards.
According to them, Mehani was first punched, then hit on the head with a glass. Bahri Zabeli was attacked as he tried to intervene and for this Vetëvendosje published photos of Mehani bleeding and stated that he received medical treatment. On the other hand, Sami Lushtaku has categorically denied that he used physical violence against Mehani.
He claims that the citizens reacted spontaneously after Mehani and people from Vetëvendosje labeled him with terms like “Sami Serbia” and tried to provoke him. Lushtaku presented the event as a political provocation by the Kurti government.
Meanwhile, the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Mitrovica started investigations, where in the last 48 hours two people were arrested in connection with the attack on Mehan and Zabel.
Sami Lushtaku was also interrogated, even though he initially did not respond to the summons of the police and the prosecutor’s office, while this evening he was released in a regular procedure.
Lushtak’s lawyers and the spokesperson of the Prosecutor’s Office in Mitrovica, Valon Preteni, confirmed for RTK the release of Sami Lushtak.
“SL interview conducted. The case went to regular procedure. Investigations into the case continue.” he declared.
The incident has caused strong political tensions between PDK and Vetëvendosje, becoming a major topic in Kosovo.
