Security camera footage near a road near the electrical substation in Tirana, very close to the New Boulevard, appears to constitute one of the key pieces of evidence in the investigation into the disappearance of Eglant Koç .
The time is 00:48 minutes after midnight on June 5, just a few hours after the 34-year-old disappeared without a trace.
The video shows a motorcycle owned by Koç, driven by a person dressed in white. He drives towards the “5 Maji” area, abandons the vehicle, and a few moments later returns to the same street, this time on foot. The cameras clearly capture his face.
It is about Armand Shakaj , the 41-year-old man wanted by the police and the main suspect in the kidnapping of the young man, who is also his friend.
These images were the first concrete element that connected Shakaj, known by the nickname "Mand Dhelpra", to the event.
It is suspected that he attempted to cover his tracks by leaving the motorcycle in another location, in order to mislead investigators and make it difficult to uncover the fate of Eglant Koç.
After identifying him, police conducted searches at Shakaj's apartment and premises, including a fast-food business, where it was suspected that the 34-year-old or important evidence could be found.
Although nothing suspicious was found in the initial search, investigators seized valuable film footage, which is suspected of documenting movements in the environment where Koçi may have been held hostage.
During the investigative actions, Enea Zyferi, a waiter at Armand Shakaj's business, also appeared on the scene, arrested for the criminal offense of supporting the perpetrator of the crime.
His testimony is considered contradictory. He states that he saw Eglant Koçi enter the premises where he was allegedly held hostage, but claims that he does not know what happened next.
According to Zyferi, at one point "Mand Dhelpra" asked him to turn off the lights of the business, with the excuse that he was going to take a refrigerator downstairs.
He says he complied with the request, but investigators found that, although the environment was in darkness, the security cameras continued to record.