28-year-old kidnapped and beaten over unpaid car rent; two brothers and cousin arrested in Lezhë

Lezhë police have arrested three people accused of kidnapping and assaulting a 28-year-old man over a dispute about unpaid rent for two vehicles.

Among those arrested are two brothers, R.M., 28, and R.M., 22, who run the company from which the cars were rented, along with their cousin E.M., 22.

The incident came to light after a 70-year-old man reported to authorities that his son had been forcibly taken and was being transported against his will by several individuals. Immediately after the report, Lezhë police services managed to identify, locate, and capture the three suspects within minutes.

According to preliminary investigations, the perpetrators acted vigilante, kidnapping the 28-year-old from a gas station in the village of Derven. Their claim was that the young man had not settled payments for the two vehicles rented from the brothers’ business.

Subsequently, they transported the victim to another gas station in the village of Shënkoll, where they assaulted him and then abandoned him on the road. In its statement, police specified that the vehicle used for the forcible taking and transportation of the young man from Krujë to Lezhë was seized.

The 28-year-old was taken to Lezhë Regional Hospital, where he received necessary medical care and was released, being out of danger.

The case has been referred to the Prosecutor’s Office at the Lezhë Court of First Instance, which will investigate the criminal offenses of “Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty,” “Vigilantism,” and “Other Intentional Injuries,” committed in cooperation.