Other details have emerged from the tragic event that shook Berat on October 28, where 42-year-old Keli Hoxha, a tourist living in England, was killed by the owner of a horse, Kristo Mema, 63. In the investigative file, the perpetrator has given full testimony, admitting that he shot the victim "in a fit of rage" after the latter had touched his horse and, according to him, had insulted him.
Kristo Mema, previously sentenced to 22 years in prison for murder, but who has not served a single day due to the statute of limitations, told investigators his version of events:
"I said to him: 'Hey, sir, don't pet the horse, because they petted it too much today and it's annoying.' Then he spoke badly to me, cursed at me. I get angry quickly. Words kill me more than punches. I don't want to justify myself, but I shot him in a fit of rage," the 63-year-old says in the testimony included in the dossier.
According to the file, the victim was with his wife and daughter, who were also questioned. The 42-year-old's mother and wife, Vjollcë Haxhia, recounted the last moments of Kel's life.
The wife testifies that their daughter had noticed a tied white horse and approached it out of pity:
"The girl felt sorry, she said 'too bad it's tied up'. She and Keli were touching the horse, when the owner came out and said: 'Don't touch it, if you touch it you have to pay'. Keli said: 'It's okay, we just touched it'. The person got angry and started swearing," she says.
According to her, after the argument calmed down, they started to leave, until Mema cursed at them again. At that moment, according to the report, he stabbed the 42-year-old.
"When he shot him, I didn't see him, but Keli came and told me: 'Call the ambulance, he stabbed me,'" recalls the deceased's wife.
Meanwhile, Kristo Mema has been arrested and is in custody, while investigations are continuing into the full circumstances of the crime.
