30.10.2026 – 09:25
Justice Minister Donika Gërvalla and Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla spoke to the media about the killing of Arlinda Zekaj.
Të lidhura
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Gërvalla said the report found that the Prosecutor’s Office had refused to open a case over threats against Albert Sylaj, the perpetrator of Arlinda’s killing.
“The Prosecutor’s Office was aware of the violence and threats against Arlinda Zekaj. Prosecutors were regularly informed about developments in the case. On October 23, two days before the killing, the chief prosecutor was also notified in writing,” Gërvalla said.
She added that, according to the documentation, the prosecutor in charge had decided not to open a case over the threats.
30.10.2026 – 09:19
Donika Gërvalla said the report on the killing of Arlinda Zekaj was not final, as several responsible offices had yet to submit the requested responses. She said further clarifications were expected from the relevant institutions.
Gërvalla described the most troubling finding as the fact that the killing had not occurred without warning: institutions had received earlier signals that Zekaj was at risk.
According to her, on July 10, Arlinda had informed the police of physical and psychological abuse, presented evidence and said that her husband had a licensed firearm.
Gërvalla continued reading the report, which she and Xhelal Sveçla had submitted to acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Thursday evening.
30.10.2026 – 09:03
Protesters began gathering outside the Kosovo Government building ahead of the announced press conference by Donika Gërvalla and Xhelal Sveçla.
The joint press conference by the justice minister and the interior minister was scheduled for 09:00. Protesters were demanding justice and institutional accountability for the killing of Arlinda Zekaj in Vitomiricë, Peja.
A day earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office had announced that it had received detailed reports from the two ministries on how the victim’s case had been handled.
The announcement said the reports would be reviewed to determine whether there had been failures, negligence, a failure to act or possible institutional responsibility. Gërvalla and Sveçla were expected to discuss their contents and the next steps.
Protesters continued to demand accountability from the institutions that had handled the case, while Zekaj’s killing had sparked numerous protests and reactions across Kosovo in recent days.
30.10.2026 – 07:09
Justice Minister Donika Gërvalla and Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla announced that they would hold a joint press conference on the killing of Arlinda Zekaj in Vitomiricë, Peja.
The meeting with the media was scheduled for 09:00 at the Kosovo Prime Minister’s Office. A protest against the killing of women was also expected outside the Government building at the same time, Bota sot reported.
A day earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office had announced that it had received detailed reports from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Zekaj’s case.
The documents would be analyzed in detail to identify any potential failures, negligence, lack of response and institutional responsibility in handling the case.
“Together with the relevant ministers, the reports will be examined and analyzed in detail, covering the history and course of the case, every failure and irresponsible handling, negligence and failure to act, as well as everything related to the procedure and institutional responsibility,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in its announcement.
The Government said Gërvalla and Sveçla would present the reports and outline the institutional actions to follow.
The protest outside the Government building was announced following widespread reactions to Arlinda Zekaj’s killing and calls for the responsible institutions to be held accountable. In recent days, protesters had called for an investigation into the actions and failures to act by officials involved in handling the case.
