A 73-year-old restaurant owner in San Giovanni al Natisone (Udine) lost his left eye days after being punched by a youth he reprimanded for leaving bicycles obstructing his establishment. Mario Deganis, proprietor of Osterie al Cjanton, confronted five young cyclists outside his restaurant on Tuesday evening. One youth allegedly stood up and struck Deganis in the left eye.
Following the punch, Deganis fell, hitting his head on the ground and sustaining a head trauma. He remains hospitalized in Udine. The Friulian newspaper Messaggero Veneto reports the victim subsequently lost the injured eye.
The five cyclists, described as very young and whose whereabouts are currently unknown, fled immediately after the assault. A friend of Deganis rushed to his aid and alerted the Carabinieri and emergency medical services.
Investigators are examining security camera footage from the area as part of their ongoing inquiry. San Giovanni al Natisone Mayor Carlo Pali condemned the “gratuitous act of violence” to the Messaggero Veneto, stating the youths are “most likely local” but confirming it is for law enforcement to fully establish the facts.
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