Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has set a deadline of 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, for the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to submit detailed reports on institutional actions and omissions in the case of Arlinda Zekaj, who was killed in Peja.
Kurti has requested that the reports identify potential failures at every institutional level responsible for handling the case of the 49-year-old woman, who was killed on October 25 in Vitomirica, near Peja.
During Wednesday’s government meeting, the prime minister said he expected the reports to be completed before the deadline and announced that their findings would be made public.
The deadline comes amid growing public pressure for accountability following Zekaj’s killing and revelations that she had sought urgent protection from the authorities shortly before her death.
Two prosecutors suspended
The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) has already suspended Lumturije Vuçetaj, Chief Prosecutor of the Basic Prosecution Office in Peja, and Arlinda Nallbani-Gacaferri, the prosecutor and domestic violence coordinator associated with Zekaj’s case.
Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against both officials to assess potential responsibility for actions or omissions in handling the case.
The decisions followed recommendations from State Chief Prosecutor Zejnullah Gashi and were based on a report prepared by the Office of the State Chief Prosecutor.
The suspensions do not, by themselves, establish individual wrongdoing. The disciplinary proceedings are intended to examine the circumstances and determine whether further action is warranted.
Police handling of the case under scrutiny
The Kosovo Police Inspectorate has also launched investigative and verification procedures concerning how police officers handled Zekaj’s reports.
The investigation is examining the response of police authorities to the victim’s requests for assistance and protection.
Sinjali previously reported that a document dated October 22 showed that Zekaj had requested urgent protective measures from the Basic Prosecution Office in Peja just three days before she was killed.
Her death has triggered widespread public reaction, protests and calls for the resignation or dismissal of officials believed to have failed in their institutional responsibilities.
Further accountability measures possible
While disciplinary action has already been taken within the prosecutorial system, the reports requested by Kurti are expected to clarify whether additional institutional failures occurred within the justice and internal affairs ministries.
It remains unclear whether the findings will lead to further suspensions, dismissals or other measures against public officials.
Attention is now focused on the 6 p.m. deadline and the contents of the two reports, which could determine the next steps in the government’s response to the case.
