Assaulted Sarandë Crime Chief Mateo Bakalli / Police arrest perpetrators, another remains wanted

A violent altercation that took place in the early hours of this morning on “Butrinti” Street in Sarandë ended with six people arrested and one declared wanted.

It is learned that the fight broke out between the security guards of a venue and several other people, while the guards also punched the Head of Criminal Investigations in Sarandë, who was passing by and intervened to stop the confrontation.

The venue’s administrator, four security guards—including a member of the military—and a taxi driver were arrested, while another guard is being sought by police. Two police officers, who had been working illegally as guards at the same venue, were also immediately suspended from duty after failing to notify operational services and failing to intervene to prevent the violence.

Police statement:

“On August 16, 2026, at around 3:20 a.m., on ‘Butrinti’ Street, Sarandë, in the outdoor area of a venue, the venue’s security guards were involved in a conflict with several other people and had not notified Police services. During the conflict, the Head of Criminal Investigations at the Sarandë Police Commissariat, Deputy Commissioner M. B., was driving along the street in his vehicle and, upon noticing the conflict, stopped, identified himself by the position he held, and attempted to prevent the conflict from escalating.

The venue’s security guards did not stop the physical confrontation; instead, they also began punching the Head of Criminal Investigations, who acted in self-defense and managed to contact Police services to request assistance. After approximately one minute, members of the ‘Eagle’ Special Force and the National Security Forces arrived to help, neutralized the escalation of the conflict, and escorted several people who were present during the altercation,” the statement said.