Kosovo
Protest for Arlinda Zekaj in Pristina: “How many more?” protesters demand dismissal of Gërvalla and Sveçla
Protesters marched from the Justice Ministry to the Prosecutorial Council, the police and the government, where they threw red paint and smoke flares. The victim’s relatives called for no violence; the protest returns Thursday at 4 p.m.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 28, 2026, 17:58 · Updated 18:43 · 1 min read
In brief
- The protest over the killing of Arlinda Zekaj passed in front of four institutions in Pristina.
- Activists demanded prosecution of prosecutors and judges and the dismissal of ministers Gërvalla and Sveçla.
- Zekaj’s relatives asked protesters not to damage anything; Thursday is announced as a new day of protest.
Dozens of protesters from across Kosovo gathered in Pristina on Wednesday to demand justice after the killing of Arlinda Zekaj, the 49-year-old woman killed with an ax on Sunday evening in Vitomiricë, near Peja. The protest began in Zahir Pajaziti Square and passed the Justice Ministry, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council and the central police station before ending at the government building.
Red paint and slogans
Pyrotechnics and smoke flares were thrown in front of the institutions, and the police building was splashed with red paint. A red ax was drawn on the doors of the government building, along with a sentence from Arlinda Zekaj’s letter: “Now I understand why there are so many killings.” “The state has blood on its hands” and “Resign” were among the protesters’ chants.
Relatives of the victim who attended the protest called on participants not to turn to violence. “Don’t break things, these are ours. We don’t want violence,” they were heard saying.
The activists’ demands
Activist Liridona Sijarina of the Feminist Collective said four women have been killed in Kosovo in less than two months and called for the prosecution of chief prosecutors, Center for Social Work officials and judges who, she said, bear responsibility for the case. She demanded the dismissal of Minister Donika Gërvalla and Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla. “Our protests won’t stop night or day, they will escalate,” Sijarina warned.
Organizers said the protest will continue Thursday in Pristina, starting at 4 p.m., with a demand for justice for all murdered women.
