13 years without justice, the family of the 17-year-old killed at school is still waiting for the Court of Appeals’ decision

The tragic event of the killing of a 17-year-old inside the premises of a vocational high school in Durrës, in December 2013, continues to keep the wounds open for the victim’s family.

The case is still winding its way through the courts. It is not only about the criminal case but also the civil case filed by the victim’s family.

Although the Administrative Court of First Instance in Durrës ruled on January 27, 2021, obliging the school to pay both material and non-material compensation, the decision was reportedly appealed by the State Advocacy, and to this day, there is no set date for the appeal hearing.

This delay in the trial leaves the family in uncertainty and prolongs their pain regarding how the case is being handled.

The decision of the Durrës Administrative Court of First Instance regarding the tragedy that occurred in December 2013 in the premises of the vocational high school “Beqir Çela” can be considered an unfinished process, despite its importance in addressing the balance between institutional responsibility and human grief.

In the decision dated January 27, 2021, the court partially accepted the lawsuit and ordered the “Beqir Çela” school to compensate the victim’s family, specifically 2,403,025 Albanian lek for each parent for both material and non-material damage, and an additional 333,333 lek for non-material damage for one of the plaintiffs, the mother—a total of approximately 5,140,000 lek.

According to the court, this was a serious incident in which a 17-year-old lost his life within a school environment that should guarantee safety and protection, directly raising the responsibility of the educational institution for inaction and failure to fulfill its legal obligations.

In its analysis, the court assessed that the school had not taken the necessary measures to ensure order and safety, allowing illegal items, including an automatic rifle, to enter the school, and failing to adequately supervise the students, despite indications of previous conflicts among them. This inaction was considered a factor contributing to the tragic outcome, holding the institution civilly liable under the principle of indirect responsibility.

However, contrary to what might be assumed, the compensation amounts determined by the court are not yet final. Not only have they not been executed, but it is also unknown whether they will be paid. The decision has been appealed by the State Advocacy, and currently, the case awaits review by the Court of Appeals.

This means that the judicial process continues, and any financial obligation remains suspended until a final ruling is issued. This procedural development, while part of the legal mechanisms for protecting state interests, has direct consequences for the victim’s family.

Coping with the loss of a child is a pain that never fully fades, and the prolonged judicial process and uncertainty over its outcome only deepen this wound.

1. The appeal of the decision, the review of which has no scheduled date, is perceived as an obstacle and a delay in delivering justice for the 17-year-old Adriatik Tota, his parents, and his sister.

“KORÇA BOOM”