The trial of 57-year-old Nikollë Radaçi opened at the First Instance Court in Durrës. On 3 May, he was involved in a serious road accident in which two children lost their lives and another was injured. The first hearing was held behind closed doors because minors were involved in this tragic incident. It lasted only a few minutes, after the defence requested that the case be judged under the abbreviated trial procedure. Examination of the verdict is expected to continue at the next hearing.
One of the developments accompanying the process is the reduction of the charges against Radaçi. Elements relating to alcohol use and leaving the scene of the accident have been dropped from the charges as a result of his benefiting from an amnesty applied earlier. Defence lawyer Aleksandër Ndreaj stated that, according to a test carried out after the accident, his client had consumed a small amount of alcohol.
This development has been strongly opposed by the victims’ families. The father of the injured child describes the reduction of the charges as a great injustice and calls for justice to be served. He has made clear that he will not withdraw and will pursue the case through all levels of the judicial system. For the remaining criminal offence, violation of road traffic rules resulting in the deaths of two people and the injury of another, Nikollë Radaçi faces a sentence of 5 to 20 years in prison.
