According to investigators, the roots of the feud trace back to 2016, when Genc Mhillaj was shot dead. Nearly a decade later, accusations were directed toward Kreshnik Mujeci and his wife Gentjana Mujeci. However, the judicial process produced conflicting outcomes over time, including acquittals in both first instance and appeal courts, followed by a decision from the Supreme Court of Albania to reopen the case for retrial. This prolonged legal uncertainty contributed to a perception of “unfinished justice” between the families.
In this context, the conflict appears to have evolved beyond the courtroom into a deeply personal and inherited hostility. Authorities suspect that the attack was carried out by members of the Mhillaj family, including Renato Mhillaj, who lost his father at a young age and grew up amid the unresolved dispute. The case illustrates how lingering legal ambiguity can fuel cycles of retaliation when parties feel justice has not been fully served.
The nature of the attack has also raised concerns about the erosion of traditional norms. Under the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini, women and uninvolved individuals are considered untouchable in blood feuds. However, the killing of Gentjana Mujeci alongside her husband marks a clear departure from these customary rules, placing the incident firmly outside both formal legal frameworks and traditional codes. The act has left two children orphaned and deepened fears of further escalation.
Experts warn that such cases highlight the dangers of delayed or contested justice, where legal processes fail to provide closure. Both families now remain trapped in a cycle of conflict that risks extending across generations, underscoring the urgent need for effective rule of law and conflict resolution mechanisms.