Kosovo
Arlinda Zekaj killing: prosecutorial council suspends Peja's chief prosecutor, police suspend 11; Parliament sets up inquiry
Lumturije Vuçetaj and the case prosecutor face disciplinary proceedings, while lawmakers voted 90-0 for a parliamentary commission on the case.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 29, 2026, 14:20 · Updated 18:43 · 2 min read
In brief
- The Prosecutorial Council suspended Peja's chief prosecutor, Lumturije Vuçetaj, and prosecutor Arlinda Nallbani Gacaferi.
- Kosovo Police suspended 11 officers, among them the acting regional director and the station commander in Peja.
- Parliament formed an 11-member investigative commission by 90 votes, which must report within six months.
Kosovo's institutions began on Thursday to seek accountability for the killing of Arlinda Zekaj, a 49-year-old woman from Vitomirica in Peja. The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPK) suspended the chief prosecutor of the Basic Prosecution in Peja, Lumturije Vuçetaj, and the prosecutor handling the case, Arlinda Nallbani Gacaferi, Radio Free Europe reports. The council opened disciplinary proceedings against them and set up an investigative panel.
Kosovo Police suspended 11 officers, based on a preliminary investigation by the Police Inspectorate. They include the acting regional director in Peja, Agron Hasanaj, the station commander, Faik Jahmurataj, his deputy, the head of the investigations unit and four investigators. The suspension can last up to six months.
Parliament votes unanimously for the commission
In Parliament, lawmakers approved by 90 votes in favor, none against and no abstentions the formation of an 11-member parliamentary investigative commission, which must submit its final report within six months. Ehat Miftaraj of the Kosovo Law Institute welcomed the council's decision as the first time in a decade that the institution has rejected a culture of impunity.
A killing foretold
Zekaj was allegedly killed with an axe by her brother-in-law on the evening of Oct. 25, minutes after police escorted her to the shared home, where she had decided to return under a court ruling. She had reported threats since December of last year and had a protection order. Two days before her death she had written to chief prosecutor Vuçetaj about how the case was being handled. The suspect was arrested in Deçan on Oct. 27.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti spoke of a “chain of failures” and demanded reports from the justice and interior ministries. Protesters are demanding the resignation of ministers Donika Gërvalla and Xhelal Sveçla. Zekaj is the eighth woman killed in Kosovo this year.
