Gazmend Hoxha’s resignation letter to Kurti published: Citizens’ trust above any position

Gazmend Hoxha, Director General of the Kosovo Police, has resigned following the tragedy in Vitomiricë, Peja, where 49-year-old Arlinda Zekaj was killed.

In a letter to Kosovo’s prime minister, Hoxha explained that his decision to step down came after deep reflection, describing it as an institutional and moral responsibility.

He stressed that a leader’s responsibility is not limited to their own actions, but also extends to protecting the standards of legality, professionalism and integrity of the institution they lead.

“Taking into account the tragic incident in Vitomiricë, Peja—the brutal killing of our mother, daughter and sister, Arlinda Zekaj—after deep reflection and with a sense of institutional and moral responsibility, and placing the interests of the state and the dignity of the institution above any personal interest, I hereby tender my moral resignation from the position of Director of the Kosovo Police,” Hoxha wrote in his letter.

He added that he was making this decision with the firm conviction that no position stands above the state and no office carries more weight than the trust citizens place in institutions.

In the letter, Hoxha also described the challenges and achievements of the Kosovo Police during his tenure, which began in March 2023.

Among other things, he highlighted operations in the north of the country, the handling of security situations in Zveçan and Banjska, and the investigation into the attack on the Ibër-Lepenc canal.

According to him, during this period the Police also achieved results in tackling organized crime, drug and arms trafficking, corruption and cybercrime.

Hoxha acknowledged that domestic violence remains a deeply troubling phenomenon and said a more coordinated approach involving the Police, the Prosecution, social services, courts and nongovernmental organizations is needed to address the problem.

Data on war crimes investigations and the fight against usury

In the document released to the public, Hoxha provided a summary of the results of several major investigations and operations carried out by the Kosovo Police.

According to his figures, between 2023 and October 30, 2026, as part of war crimes investigations, the Prosecution issued 163 authorizations to launch investigations based on 305 pieces of information. A total of 63 new cases were investigated and 66 criminal complaints were filed against 745 suspects, while 62 people were arrested.

Hoxha said that 62 bodies and 14 bone fragments were also found during these investigations.

In the fight against usury, 79 people suspected of usury and other criminal offenses have been arrested since the specialized investigative team was consolidated in May 2024.

As part of these efforts, 40 police operations were conducted and around 90 homes and related premises were searched. The estimated value of the cars, money and other assets seized amounts to eight million euros.

Hoxha also released figures on the “White Star” and “Skyecc” cases, in which 37 people were arrested.

During the investigations, authorities seized 153,560 euros, 49 different firearms, 2,026 rounds of ammunition, 13,000 euros suspected of being counterfeit, 76 cars and 39 luxury-brand wristwatches.

Authorities also identified 20 apartments, five warehouses, 12 garages, four business premises, six houses, ten forests, 170 plots of land and one hotel, with an estimated value of 49.8 million euros.

Another 47 bank accounts, holding a total of around 1.5 million euros, were frozen.

According to Hoxha’s published summary, the total value of assets and bank accounts seized, confiscated or frozen in these cases amounts to 53,974,918 euros.