Four Dutch nationals were arrested last week after assaulting an 18-year-old, also from the Netherlands, at a disco at Lazise on Lake Garda in northern Italy, it has emerged.

The victim tried to avoid confrontation but ran into his attackers again while making his way to a campsite, where he was staying with his parents, Dutch media reported on Friday. He was beaten and sustained serious injury to one eye, and needed stitches following the attack.

The four men, aged between 20 and 21, were part of a group of friends and stayed at the same apartment complex, Italian police confirmed.

The men fled after the attack but were quickly apprehended following witness statements.

They were released some time later and are thought to be back in the Netherlands. A spokesman for the Italian police told the AD the authorities were ‘confident’ the case against the four will come before an Italian judge.

That case comes as the Dutch public prosecution department is preparing the case against a group of friends who attacked 27-year-old Carlo Heuvelman from Waddinxveen in Majorca, resulting in his death.

Despite initial assurance they would be tried in Spain the Spanish judge handed the case over to the Dutch OM, reportedly because it was deemed too complex and difficult because the group absconded from the island shortly after the event.

The charges against a 19-year-old from Hilversum, who was initially accused of attempted manslaughter for kicking two men in the head, now include the manslaughter of Carlo Heuvelman as well. He will appear before the judge on Friday.

Another suspect, an 18-year-old, also from Hilversum, has also been arrested, the public prosecution office announced on Friday. The public prosecution office does not rule out more arrests.