KPC clarifies decision to suspend prosecutor Arlinda Nallbani-Gacaferri

The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) has made public the basis for its decision to suspend Arlinda Nallbani-Gacaferri, deputy chief prosecutor at the Basic Prosecution Office in Peja and coordinator for domestic violence.

The KPC’s reasoning states that she was aware that the protection order for Arlinda Zekaj had been violated on October 22, 2026. Other people were also staying at Zekaj’s apartment, including Albert Sylaj, who is suspected of her murder.

According to the Council, the Police had informed the prosecutor about the case. During the interview, Zekaj stated that Sylaj had threatened her, saying: “Get away from me, get away from me, or I’ll kill you.”

The decision notes that Nallbani-Gacaferri had requested that Sylaj be questioned as a witness, without treating the direct threat as a circumstance that should have prompted an assessment of the risk to the victim.

The KPC considers that, although she had been informed of Zekaj’s urgent requests and the danger she faced, the prosecutor had not taken the necessary action to protect her.

The reasoning also states that, while handling the case, she had failed to take the evidence and facts into account and had breached her obligations of professionalism and responsibility.

On October 29, the KPC also decided to suspend the chief prosecutor of Peja, Lumturije Vuçetaj. That same day, 11 police officials in the command hierarchy in Peja were also suspended from their duties.

One day later, on October 30, Prime Minister Albin Kurti accepted the resignation of the Director General of the Police, Gazmend Hoxha.

These measures and developments came after the killing of 49-year-old Arlinda Zekaj on October 25 in Vitomiricë, Peja.