Protesters demand imprisonment, not suspensions, and the resignations of Gërvalla, Sveçla and Muhaxheri

On the second day of protests demanding justice for Arlinda Zekaj, who was killed a few days ago in Peja, protesters gathered outside the Government building.

Anitë Nikaj, one of the organizers, presented the demands addressed to the institutions. She called for the dismissal, prosecution and imprisonment of Lumturije Vuçetaj, chief prosecutor at the Peja Prosecution Office; Suada Ramza-Hamzaj, the prosecutor handling the case; Judge Migjen Kastrati; court official Shemsedin Haxhijaj; Shpresa Lungaj, acting director of the Center for Social Work in Peja; and police officer Faruk Muqolli. The protesters also called for the resignations of Peja Mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri, Justice Minister Donika Gërvalla and Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla.

“We demand the dismissal, prosecution and imprisonment of Chief Prosecutor Lumturije Vuçetaj and the prosecutor handling the case, Suada Rama-Hamzaj. We demand the imprisonment, dismissal and prosecution of court official Shemsedin Haxhijaj, as well as the dismissal, prosecution and imprisonment of Judge Migjen Kastrati. We demand the same measures for Shpresa Lungaj, acting director of the Center for Social Work in Peja, and for the police officer Faruk, whom we describe as exhausted. We demand the resignations of Peja Mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri, Justice Minister Donika Gërvalla and Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla. Our demands are clear: we do not want suspensions, but dismissals, imprisonment and prosecution,” Nikaj said.

Another protester said the case had made even more visible the way the Kosovo Police, in her view, disregards and underestimates women and girls who report violence, and even contributes to putting them at risk.

She said police officer Faruk Muqolli had grown tired of Arlinda’s insistence on justice and stressed that protesters must hold the police accountable.

“When Arlinda turned to the police for help against her abusers, the officer on duty ignored her pleas until her last breath. He told her he would no longer deal with her because he was tired of her requests for safety and justice. He was tired only of his work and duty, nothing more; Arlinda, fully aware of what was happening, knew that the police were making injustice even more likely. Her insistence on justice had worn the officer out, until she was killed. Now it is our duty to ensure that the police are held accountable. Today and every other day, we will not accept the police presenting themselves as an institution that protects women while helping violence against them. We have understood, with full responsibility, that the police do not protect us. This has cost us violence, humiliation and murder. That officer represents the entire police force; he is not a flaw, but a natural manifestation of our violent system,” she said.

The Kosovo Police has suspended 11 officers over the handling of Arlinda Zekaj’s case in Vitomiricë, Peja. The measure was taken following a recommendation by the Kosovo Police Inspectorate (IPK), which is conducting a preliminary investigation into their actions or inaction.

Meanwhile, at its meeting today, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council suspended Peja Chief Prosecutor Lumturije Vuçetaj and prosecutor Arlinda Nallbani Gacaferi. An investigative procedure has also been initiated against both.