An 18-year-old Italian citizen has reported to the police that she was attacked and raped in the early hours of the morning of September 5, in Durrës near a hotel where she was staying with friends.
According to her testimony to authorities, the incident occurred at around 5:30 a.m. She said that after a night out with friends and drinking, she had briefly left the group and was sitting on a sun lounger near the hotel. At that moment, she said, a 26-year-old man approached her and physically attacked and raped her, despite her resistance.
"We were with friends during the night and also consumed alcoholic beverages. For a moment I left the group and sat on a sun lounger that was a few meters away from the hotel. This happened at around 5:30 am on September 5th. During this time, a person approached me and attacked me, and despite my attempts to defend myself, he raped me after I resisted. He then left. I came to you to file a report regarding this incident," the 18-year-old Italian woman told the police.
Immediately after the incident, the girl reported the incident to the police. Thanks to her testimony, the help of a police officer who had noticed the suspect's presence in the area, and security camera footage, authorities were able to identify and arrest citizen Leonardo Preza, 26 years old.
During interrogation, the arrested man admitted to having sex with the young woman, but stated that everything happened with her consent.
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old was immediately taken to the hospital, where she underwent a detailed forensic examination, including a visit to the gynecologist. Doctors found marks on her hands, neck and other parts of her body that were consistent with a possible incident of sexual violence, however, the injuries were not serious. Investigations into the case are ongoing.
