Important institutional developments have followed the tragic event of October 25 in Vitomirica, Peja, where Arlinda Zekaj was killed. The Assembly of Kosovo and the Police of Kosovo have taken concrete steps to investigate the administrative and investigative responsibilities related to the way this case and domestic violence as a whole have been handled.
The Assembly unanimously voted for the parliamentary investigation
With 90 votes in favor, the Assembly of Kosovo has decided to establish the Parliamentary Investigative Commission, which will focus on “actions and inactions of the institutions related to the murder of Arlinda Zekaj and the handling of cases of violence against women and children in the family”.
The commission will consist of 11 members and will have a functional mandate of six months:
- Chairman: Burim Ramadani (AAK)
- Vice President: Adnan Rrustemi (LVV)
- Members from LVV: Armend Baloku, Arijeta Rexhepi, Osman Musliu, Adeline Tërshani
- Members from PDK: Besa Kabashi-Ramaj, Eman Rrahmani
- Members from LDK: Doarsa Kica-Xhelili
- Representatives from Communities: Jovana Radosavljevic, Emilija Rexhepi
The chain of command in Peja faces suspension
In parallel with the decision of the Assembly, the Kosovo Police has taken disciplinary measures against the management and investigative chain in the region of Peja. Based on the recommendation of the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (IPK), 11 police officers have been suspended from duty.
Among those suspended are senior leaders of the regional police and the local station:
- D. Regional Director and Head of Regional Investigations in DRP-Peja
- Commander, Deputy Commander and Head of the Investigations Sector at the Pejë Police Station
- D. Head of the Operative Sector in Peja and Commander of the Substation in Vitomirica
- Four police investigators from Peja Police Station
The measures taken are based on the Police Law and disciplinary procedures in force, while the IPK is conducting a preliminary investigation to analyze possible actions or omissions during the handling of the case.
The Kosovo Police informs that the suspensions were taken “in the interest of developing independent investigations, institutional accountability and determining individual responsibilities”reiterating the commitment to maintaining integrity and full cooperation with the justice bodies.
