Prishtina, November 6, 2026 – After a debate among members over documents not submitted by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the parliamentary inquiry commission investigating Arlinda Zekaj’s murder continued its meeting on Friday without the media present.
The meeting was scheduled to begin at 14:00 and to consider the commission’s action plan and budget for approval. When the open discussion ended, LDK lawmaker Doarsa Kica-Xhelili proposed that journalists leave, explaining that she also wanted to put questions to her fellow commission members.
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The dispute centered on the absence of reports on the institutions’ actions in Zekaj’s case. At its first meeting, the commission had requested them from Justice Minister Donika Gërvalla and Internal Affairs Minister Xhelal Sveçla.
During today’s discussion, commission member Rrahmani linked the failure to submit the documents to a lack of willingness and said the institutions must be compelled to respond. He stressed that responding to the commission’s requests is an institutional obligation and called for all communication with the institutions to take place through official channels.
Kica-Xhelili said members should take a united position if institutions fail to cooperate. She argued that the documents should be obtained through official correspondence, without any need for other forms of communication.
Meanwhile, both ministries’ reports on the case were sent to the Prime Minister’s Office on October 29. Their submission followed a request from Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who has pledged to publish them.
Parliament established the commission on October 29, with 90 lawmakers voting in favor and none against. It has 11 members and a mandate of up to six months. Burim Ramadani of the Alliance chairs it, while Adnan Rrustemi of the Vetëvendosje Movement serves as deputy chair. Ramadani has promised that the report’s findings will be based on facts, not political positions.
Arlinda Zekaj, 49, was killed on October 25 in Vitomiricë, Pejë, just minutes after she had reported domestic violence to the police. Prosecutors suspect her brother-in-law, identified by the initials A.S., who was arrested on October 27 in Deçan. The killing was followed by the resignation of Kosovo Police director Gazmend Hoxha and the suspension of prosecutors and police officers who had handled the case.
The Feminist Collective for Thought and Action has called for a nationwide protest in Prishtina on Saturday, November 7. The march is scheduled to start at 12:00 near the “Mother Teresa” Cathedral.
Mobilization for Arlinda has now entered its second week. On Thursday, the ninth day of uninterrupted protests, activists blocked traffic on the road near the “Qendra” Police Station.
The protesters’ demands include declaring femicide a national emergency and dismissing ministers Gërvalla and Sveçla. They also seek an independent vetting process in the justice system, social housing for survivors of violence and legal permission to carry self-defense spray. PDK and the Alliance have also called for the two ministers to resign. In addition to Prishtina, protests and marches for Arlinda have taken place in Pejë, Mitrovicë, Ferizaj and Istog.
On Wednesday, Parliament Speaker Albulena Haxhiu visited the Zekaj family. She has called for the Special Prosecution Office to be involved in the investigation.
Another development today concerns the murder of Diana Kastrati 15 years ago. Kosovo Police issued a wanted notice for Adnon Jashari, who is accused of killing her on May 18, 2011, in Prishtina. To help locate him, police released two photographs and asked the public for assistance. The move is based on a court order concerning the hearing scheduled for November 10.
A fugitive since 2011, Jashari faces charges of aggravated murder and unauthorized possession of a weapon. The Basic Prosecution Office in Prishtina has filed an indictment for his trial in absentia. It says Diana and her father had sought a protection order because of ongoing abuse by her former partner.
The Basic Court in Prishtina has called on Jashari to surrender. The initial hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, at 9:30.
