The Kosovo Police Inspectorate (IPK) has launched an investigation into how the Kosovo Police handled all cases reported by Arlinda Zekaj, who was killed in Vitomiricë, Peja, on October 25.
In a statement on Monday, October 26, the Inspectorate said it had begun investigative and verification procedures with the authorisation of the State Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation aims to establish whether police officers properly handled the reports submitted by Zekaj before her death.
The IPK said it would examine how each report was received, recorded, assessed and handled, as well as what actions police officers took—or failed to take—in response.
“The purpose of these actions is to assess the legality of police conduct and its compliance with established procedures and legal obligations, as well as to identify any potential individual or institutional responsibility if violations or omissions are established,” the statement said.
The Inspectorate added that it would coordinate with the relevant justice institutions to ensure the matter was examined professionally, impartially and comprehensively, while safeguarding the integrity of the investigation.
Zekaj reported domestic violence hours before her death
Zekaj was killed on Sunday evening, October 25, in Vitomiricë, near Peja. Her brother-in-law, Albert Sylaj, is suspected of the killing and remains at large, with police searching for him.
According to information released by the Kosovo Police, Zekaj reported a domestic violence incident at the Peja Police Station at around 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Police said she was taken to the station and interviewed before being transported back to her home in Vitomiricë. According to the police account, she returned home voluntarily.
Authorities also said that, following the domestic violence report, the victim’s husband was arrested and detained for 48 hours.
At approximately 9:10 p.m., after Zekaj had returned home, police received information that she had been killed.
According to preliminary information released by police, her death is suspected to have resulted from blows inflicted with a hard object.
The IPK’s investigation will seek to determine whether police procedures and legal obligations were properly followed when Zekaj’s earlier reports were handled, and whether any individual or institutional failures occurred.
